CYCLONE VAIANU
(Update 12 April 2026) - Cyclone Vaianu is forecast to affect New Zealand from Friday 10 to Monday 13 April. Stay in touch with the latest updates at www.metservice.com/warnings.
UPDATE: Sunday 12 April 2026
Emergency Operations Centre
A Western Waikato Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is 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. As at 2.30pm 12 April, the districts have avoided the brunt of the cyclone so far, and support is being provided to the small number of affected locations.
The Councils have been monitoring and preparing for the cyclone’s arrival over the past week. The Centre was activated at 7am on Sunday, 12 April, at Waipā District Council. Staff from the three councils are working across a range of functions, including operations, intelligence, planning, public information, welfare and logistics.
Representatives from Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, The Lines Company and Waipā Networks are also in the Centre, supporting the response.
Storms and floods
- How to prepare for emergencies:getready.govt.nz
- What to do before, during and after storms and floods
- Landslides information
Roading updates
- District roads: Roading updates including road closures
- State Highways:
Information sources:
- Ōtorohanga District Council Facebook page
- Civil Defence Waikato Facebook page
- NZ Civil Defence Facebook page
Radio
Weather
Power
Advice from The Lines Company
- Avoid downed power lines – call The Lines Company immediately. Their faults team are on standby and ready to respond to any issues as quickly and safely as possible.
- Phone 0800 367 328
Rubbish
- Ōtorohanga and Kāwhia Transfer Stations (Refuse and Recycling) will be closed on Sunday.
Parks and reserves
- Due to expected high winds and increased risks, these will be closed from 6pm Saturday till 8am Monday.
Help services
The following services are available if you or someone you know needs help:
- Ministry of Social Development (MSD)
- Financial assistance, welfare support, accommodation help.
- Call 0800 559 009 or visit your local MSD office.
- Rural Support Trust
- Confidential support for farmers, growers, and rural whānau dealing with stress, damage or loss.
- Call 0800 787 254
- Visit: www.rural-support.org.nz
- Here to Help U
- One stop support for food parcels, financial hardship, mental health, social services and more.
- Visit www.heretohelpu.nz
- Call 0800 568 273 and leave a call back request
- Mental health and wellbeing services
- Emergency support:
- Immediate danger: If someone is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, please call 111.
- Crisis Team: If you are experiencing a mental health emergency please contact your local Health New Zealand Crisis team. For Waikato, phone 0800 505 050.
- Emergency support:
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- Mental wellbeing: This Government webpage has free tools, resources and information to help you look after your emotional wellbeing in an emergency. Visit www.getready.govt.nz/emergency/mental-wellbeing
- Healthline: A free service providing health advice, support and information. Call 0800 611 116 or request a callback on their website at www.healthy.org.nz
- Need to talk? Call or text 1737 to speak to a trained counsellor. There are things you can do and support available to help you feel better if you feel stressed or anxious during or after an emergency.
- For contact details for more helplines, visit https://mentalhealth.org.nz/helplines
- The helplines include Youthline, Samaritans, Depression helpline, Anxiety NZ, Lifeline, Suicide Crisis Helpline and international helplines.
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