A State of Emergency has been declared in Northland as a precautionary step ahead of Cyclone Vaianu, which is expected to bring powerful winds and heavy rain to parts of the North Island on Sunday.
The declaration was made at 5pm on Friday and would last for an initial period of seven days, according to Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management group controller Damian Rio.
Coromandel Peninsula on North Island’s east coast has been given the most severe warnings ahead of the storm. (Source: 1News)
"Declaring an emergency is a step under our legislation which allows the Civil Defence Controller and/or those to whom they delegate authority, access to emergency powers, granting authority to protect life and property in extraordinary emergency events," Rio said.
"This declaration means we can act quickly if required. It gives us the tools to respond effectively and keep our communities safe if the situation escalates."
Category-2 Cyclone Vaianu was forecast to be a "very large, damaging system" according to MetService, reaching the Far North late on Saturday before moving south-eastwards across the North Island overnight into Sunday.
"The combination of damaging winds, heavy rain, and coastal inundation makes this a multi-hazard, potentially life-threatening event," the forecaster said Friday.
Northland Civil Defence group chair Colin Kitchen acknowledged the "challenging timing" of the event, with the region still recovering from severe weather earlier this year.
"We know this is a difficult time for many communities who are already dealing with the impacts of previous weather events, but Northlanders have consistently shown their strength and resilience," Kitchen said.
"I want to acknowledge the efforts people are making now to get prepared, look out for their neighbours, and follow official advice. Those actions make a real difference."
He urged local residents to stay up to date with weather forecasts and official information.
Events cancelled and families pack up ahead of Cyclone Vaianu coming in from the north. (Source: 1News)
An orange strong wind warning remained in place in Northland from 11pm Saturday, April 11 until 2pm Sunday, April 12. An orange heavy rain warning for Northland about and south of Bay of Islands to Hokianga Harbour was in place from 9pm Saturday until 9am Sunday. A heavy rain watch was also in place for Northland north of Bay of Islands to Hokianga Harbour from 7pm Saturday until 7am on Sunday.
MetService outlined the potential path of Cyclone Vaianu in greater detail this afternoon, as the category 2 cyclone was expected to be a "very large, damaging system".
"It will be the Far North that first experiences the strong winds, heavy rain, and rough seas brought by Cyclone Vaianu from late Saturday," MetService said.
The forecaster said overnight Saturday and into Sunday, Cyclone Vaianu would move south-eastwards across the North Island.
Severe weather warnings and watches cover the North Island and the top of the South Island.
Strong Wind Warning – Red
Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island – 13 hours from 5am Sunday to 6pm Sunday.
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Northland, about and south of Bay of Islands to Hokianga Harbour – 12 hours from 9pm Saturday to 9am Sunday.
Auckland and Great Barrier Island – 12 hours from 2am Sunday to 2pm Sunday.
Coromandel Peninsula, and Bay of Plenty west of Whakatāne including Rotorua – 14 hours from 2am Sunday to 4pm Sunday.
Gisborne/Tairāwhiti north of Tolaga Bay – 14 hours from 2am Sunday to 4pm Sunday.
Strong Wind Warning – Orange
Northland – 15 hours from 11pm Saturday to 2pm Sunday.
Auckland – 19 hours from 9pm Saturday to 4pm Sunday.
Waikato, Waitomo, Taupō and Taumarunui – 12 hours from 10am Sunday to 10pm Sunday.
Bay of Plenty and Rotorua – 15 hours from 4am Sunday to 7pm Sunday.
Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, Hawke’s Bay and Taihape – 16 hours from 10am Sunday to 2am Monday.
Taranaki and Whanganui – 10 hours from 1pm Sunday to 11pm Sunday.
Heavy Rain Watch
Northland north of Bay of Islands to Hokianga Harbour – 12 hours from 7pm Saturday to 7am Sunday.
Waikato – 15 hours from 3am Sunday to 6pm Sunday.
Bay of Plenty about and east of Whakatāne – 15 hours from 6am Sunday to 9pm Sunday.
Gisborne/Tairāwhiti about and south of Tolaga Bay, Hawke’s Bay ranges, and coastal hills south of Napier – 16 hours from 2am Sunday to 6pm Sunday.
Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taupō and Taranaki – 12 hours from 8am Sunday to 8pm Sunday.
Wairarapa, including the Tararua District, also eastern and southern parts of Wellington – 12 hours from 11am Sunday to 11pm Sunday.
Marlborough Sounds, including northeastern areas north of Kaikōura – 10 hours from 2pm Sunday to midnight Sunday.
Strong Wind Watch
Manawatū, Kapiti Coast and Wellington – 19 hours from 11am Sunday to 6am Monday.
Wairarapa, including the Tararua District – 21 hours from noon Sunday to 9am Monday.
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