Several precautionary states of emergency have been declared across the North Island, with the entire island under severe weather warnings or watches.
Cyclone Vaianu is approaching the North Island and is expected to bring "damaging" winds of up to 130km/h and heavy rain today and tomorrow.
A regional state of emergency has been declared for Waikato, which includes the Coromandel.
Meanwhile, states of local emergency have been declared for the Northland, Whakatāne, Western Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay areas.
Northland is under a red strong wind warning from 10pm Saturday, which warned of a "threat to life" from possible falling trees, landslips and flooding.
Follow 1News' live updates as Cyclone Vaianu approaches.
Thames-Coromandel District Council Civil Defence and emergency manager Brian Carter said declaring a regional state of emergency for Waikato allowed for the faster mobilisation of resources.
“We are expecting widespread impacts across the district, and this declaration ensures we can act decisively.”
He urged local residents to make sure they were fully prepared, and for people in lower-lying areas to relocate to higher ground.
"Sandbags remain available at collection points in Whitianga, Thames, Whangamatā, Coromandel Town, Tairua, and Pāuanui," he said.
Civil Defence also declared states of local emergency for Northland, Whakatāne, Waikato and Hawke's Bay.
In Ōhope, near Whakatāne, people living along West End have been ordered to evacuate by 5pm.
"If life, health or property is in danger, call 111 immediately," advised the Civil Defence website.
Hawke's Bay was the most recent area to make the declaration, just before noon on Saturday, to last for an initial period of seven days.
Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management group controller Shane Briggs said it was "critical" for residents to heed advice from police and Civil Defence.
“The most important thing is that everyone stays safe," he said.
"For those outside of the evacuation areas, please make decisions based on the risk at your home. Self-evacuate if you feel at all unsafe."
In Hastings, those in beachfront properties in the Waimārama, Ocean Beach, Te Awanga and Haumoana areas have also been asked to evacuate by 5pm.
“Conditions are expected to worsen tonight and tomorrow so we are asking people to evacuate now as it will become too difficult and unsafe later," Hastings District Council emergency management controller Craig Cameron said.
Why declare a state of emergency?
States of emergency are used when disasters risk overwhelming our emergency services.
Thames-Coromandel District Mayor Peter Revell spoke to 1News after a regional state of emergency was declared for the Waikato.
"Having that State of Emergency gives us a bit more power for people to evacuate if it comes to that," he said.
Authorities gain a legal right to evacuate any building or place, enter a property to prevent any threat to life, and close roads and other public spaces instantly.
SHARE ME