HELPFUL CYCLONE INFO
(Update 9 April 2026) - Cyclone Vaianu may bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of the North Island. The cyclone is forecast to affect New Zealand from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 April. Stay in touch with the latest updates at www.metservice.com/warnings.
UPDATE: Saturday 11 April 2026
HEAVY RAIN AND EXTREMELY HIGH WINDS. Cyclone Vaianu is forecast to reach the Waikato region the evening of Saturday 11 April, with full effects expected on Sunday 12 April.
Strong Wind and Heavy Rain Watches and Warnings are in force for much of the North Island and upper South Island. These will be updated from Saturday evening 11 April to Monday 13 April, and ongoing if needed.
Stay up to date with the latest weather information from MetService New Zealand - information may change as the cyclone progresses.
Trust your danger sense, and don’t wait for official warnings. Never try to drive, walk or swim through floodwaters, as they are extremely dangerous.
MetService update: 11 April 8.50pm: There is a Strong Wind Warning (Orange) for Waikato for 21 hours from 2am - 11pm Sun, 12 April. 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. There is a Heavy Rain Watch for Waikato for 17 hours from 1am - 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.
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
What to do before, during and after storms and floods
- Government's GetReady website
- Ōtorohanga District Council: What to do before, during and after storms and floods
Landslides
- Landslides information (National Emergency Management Agency)
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. - You can contact them on 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:
-
- 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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