11/04/2026
UPDATE: Sunday 12 April, 10.30am
MetService New Zealand has updated the Strong Wind Warning for Aotea Great Barrier Island.
STRONG WIND WARNING - ORANGE for Great Barrier Island
Area: Great Barrier Island
Period: 8hrs from 12:00pm Sun to 8:00pm Sun
Forecast: Gale easterlies changing to severe gale westerlies this afternoon, with gusts of 120km/h in exposed places.
Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
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Last updated 10pm, 11 April;
Kia ora everyone, MetService New Zealand has made some updates to today's forecast, mainly around the timing of warnings for Auckland and Aotea Great Barrier Island. Follow MetService for updates or download the Metservice App from the App Store or Google Play.
The current track of Cyclone Vaianu can be found at www.metservice.com/warnings/tropical-cyclone-activity
📍Aotea Great Barrier Island has been upgraded to a RED warning for wind. The combination of damaging winds, heavy rain and coastal inundation makes this a multi-hazard, potentially life-threatening event.
📍The locations of the most severe impacts associated with Cyclone Vaianu, such as power outages, falling trees, flooding, slips, road closures and isolated communities are highly dependent on the cyclone's track.
📍Strong Wind and Heavy Rain Watches and Warnings are in force for much of the North Island and upper South Island Sunday and early Monday. Further areas are likely to be upgraded to Orange or Red as the cyclone approaches and its track becomes clearer.
📍STRONG WIND WARNING - RED for Great Barrier Island
Area: Aotea Great Barrier Island
Period: 22hrs from 10.00pm Sat to 8:00pm Sun
Forecast: Severe gale easterlies changing to severe gale west to northwesterly Sunday afternoon, with damaging gusts of 130km/h. Note winds easing from the north during Sunday afternoon.
Impact: Threat to life from flying items and falling trees. Destructive winds will cause widespread damage including powerlines and roofs, with dangerous driving conditions and significant disruption to transport and power supply.
📍STRONG WIND WARNING - ORANGE for Auckland excluding Aotea Great Barrier Island
Area: Auckland
Period: 20hrs from 10.00pm Sat to 6:00pm Sun
Forecast: Severe gale east to southeasterlies about areas north of Orewa changing to severe gale west to southwesterly Sunday early afternoon, gusting 130km/h in exposed places.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
📍HEAVY RAIN WARNING - ORANGE for Auckland including Aotea Great Barrier Island
Area: Auckland and Great Barrier Island
Period: 17hrs from 9:00pm Sat to 2:00pm Sun
Forecast: Expect 70 to 100 mm of rain to accumulate. Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/hr. Note, heavy swells and coastal inundation likely, especially about Aotea Great Barrier Island and the outer gulf.
Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board
