A STATE OF EMERGENCY HAS BEEN DECLARED FOR THE WAIKATO REGION (Update 11 April 2026) - EXPECT HEAVY RAIN AND EXTREMELY STRONG WINDS THIS WEEKEND. DO NOT DRIVE, WALK OR SWIM IN FLOODWATERS. Waikato Civil Defence advise that a State of Emergency has been declared for the Waikato region at 9.32am on Saturday 11 April for a period of seven days, due to Cyclone Vaianu. This is due to the likelihood of significant impacts across the area, including damaging winds, flooding, and disruption to power and transport networks.

** IMPORTANT ** Stay in touch with the latest weather updates at www.metservice.com/warnings because information will be regularly updated as the cyclone progresses. For information on what to do before, during and after storms and floods, go to www.getready.govt.nz. For roading updates, go to www.otodc.govt.nz/roading-update and for information on landslides, go to www.civildefence.govt.nz/landslide.

A Western Waikato Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is operating in Te Awamutu, supporting the Waipā, Waitomo and Ōtorohanga communities during Cyclone Vaianu. The Centre, Te Whare Ᾱhuru, is coordinating the local Civil Defence response for Ōtorohanga District Council, Waipā District Council and Waitomo District Council, aligned with regional and national Civil Defence efforts. Controller Dave Simes says the Centre is monitoring the cyclone’s progress across the North Island, with teams on standby to respond and provide support across the Western Waikato as needed.

MetService update: 12 April 9.59am: There is a Strong Wind Warning (Orange) for Waikato for 18 hours from 9am Sun 12 April - 3am Mon, 13 April. Forecast: Severe gale easterlies changing to severe gale westerly late afternoon or evening Sunday, gusting 120km/h in exposed places. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning. Next update: 9:00pm Sun 12 April. There is a Heavy Rain Watch for Waikato for 9 hours from 9am - 6pm Sun, 12 April. Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning. * Disclaimer: see the latest information on MetService.com.

Ōtorohanga and Kāwhia Transfer Stations (Refuse and Recycling) will be closed on Sunday. Parks and reserves will be closed from 6pm Saturday till 8am Monday.

FOR INFORMATION TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SAFE AND A LINK TO ROADING UPDATES: visit: Cyclone Vaianu