A STATE OF EMERGENCY HAS BEEN DECLARED FOR THE WAIKATO REGION (Update 11 April 2026) - EXPECT HEAVY RAIN AND EXTREMELY STRONG WINDS THIS WEEKEND: 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 - information is regularly updated as the cyclone progresses. For information on landslides, go to www.civildefence.govt.nz/landslide

Safety and wellbeing is always at the top of our mind and our local Civil Defence team is working with Waikato Civil Defence. Take steps now to protect your family, property and livestock. Secure outdoor items, clear drains, and prepare for possible power outages and travel disruption. For more info on what to do before, during and after storms and floods, go to www.getready.govt.nz.

11 April, 9.52am: A MetService strong wind warning (Orange) is in place for 20 hours from 2am - 10pm Sunday, 12 April for Waikato. 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. Stay home and don't enter floodwaters. Next MetService update: 11 April 9pm.

Heavy rain and strong winds may cause flash flooding and rapidly rising water, landslides and falling trees, dangerous driving conditions and road closures, power outages. 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

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Read Between the Grinds – Adult Reading Challenge

Looking for a fun way to refresh your reading routine? Join Read Between the Grinds, our new adult Reading Bingo Challenge on Beanstack!

Discover new reads, revisit old favourites, and enjoy a well-earned cuppa on us.

☕ Read Between the Grinds – Adult Reading Challenge

Looking for a fun way to refresh your reading routine? Join Read Between the Grinds, our new adult Reading Bingo Challenge on Beanstack!

Discover new reads, revisit old favourites, and enjoy a well-earned cuppa on us.

How it works

Complete your Bingo card by reading books that match the squares.

Each square offers a different challenge to keep things interesting.

Explore the Recommendations tab in Beanstack — we’ll be adding new booklists throughout the challenge to help inspire your next great read.

Sign up now on Beanstack and start reading your way to Bingo (and coffee)!

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