Tauranga City Council has warned of "potential for flooding levels not previously seen"Torrential rain, 140kmh winds and 8m waves are expected. Red strong wind warnings are in place for 130kmh winds on Great Barrier Island, the Coromandel, Rotorua and Bay of Plenty. Local states of emergency have been declared for Hawke's Bay, Tauranga, Western Bay of Plenty and Whakatāne. Power is out to thousands of consumers and North Islanders are being warned that the worst of the wild weather associated with Cyclone Vaianu is yet to come. Gusts of up to 130kmh have been recorded in the outer Hauraki Gulf and around Coromandel overnight, and in some places, trees have come down on power lines.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 11, 2026 20:03 UTC