Live: States of Emergency, evacuation orders as Cyclone Vaianu approaches

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Cyclone Vaianu approaches New Zealand on Saturday morning.

Cyclone Vaianu approaches New Zealand on Saturday morning.

Cyclone Vaianu approaches New Zealand on Saturday morning.

Cyclone Vaianu approaches New Zealand on Saturday morning.

What you need to know:

  • Northland and the Whakatāne District were under a preemptive Local State of Emergency, as Cyclone Vaianu approaches the North Island.
  • A Regional State of Emergency was declared for Waikato, including the Coromandel.
  • Properties along West End in Ōhope, Whakatāne District, were ordered to evacuate by 5pm.
  • The whole North Island was under some kind of weather warning, with the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island under a red strong wind warning.
  • Winds were expected to reach up to 130km/h.
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Coromandel Peninsula on North Island’s east coast has been given the most severe warnings ahead of the storm. 

North Island braces as Cyclone Vaianu approaches

It was a calm morning for much of the country, but numerous weather warnings, including a rare red wind warning for the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island, were in place.

6:50am

4:38

What powers does declaring a state of emergency unlock?

What powers does declaring a state of emergency unlock?

In the last decade, the number of states of emergency declared in New Zealand has nearly quadrupled. InDepth reporter Mava Moayyed explains what it means.

Friday 5:49pm

MetService meteorologist Heather Keats said despite being downgraded overnight, TC Vaianu was "still a very large, damaging system".

Cyclone Vaianu: 'It will hit hard, with a big impact on NZ'

MetService has outlined the potential path of Cyclone Vaianu in greater detail this afternoon, as the category 2 cyclone is expected to be a "very large, damaging system".

Friday 1:02pm

5:49

Getting ready before the weather arrives can save a lot of trouble later.

Cyclone Vaianu: How to prepare before the storm hits

What should you do before, during and after the storm arrives?

Friday 10:42am

5:49

Further areas are likely to be upgraded to Orange or Red as the cyclone approaches and it's track becomes clearer.

Red wind warning as 'damaging' 140km/h gusts loom

"The combination of damaging winds, heavy rain and coastal inundation makes this a multi-hazard, potentially life-threatening event" the forecaster said.

Friday 10:05am

5:49

Vaianu's forecast track as of April 9.

Daniel Corbett: 'Intense' cyclone threatens torrential rain and damaging winds

1News meteorologist Daniel Corbett explains the impact the approaching tropical storm will have on New Zealand.

Friday 6:00am

5:22

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