Cyclone Vaianu updates

Auckland Council Civil Defence and Emergency Management Committee Chair Clr Alf Filipaina and Chief Executive Phil Wilson at the Emergency Coordination Centre

What to do during heavy winds and rain

If life or safety is at risk, don't hesitate to call 111.

Put safety first. Don't take any chances.

During a storm, stay inside. Don't walk around outside. Don't drive unless necessary. Strong winds can fell trees and poles, tear off roofs, and cause branches and debris to fly at high speed.

Act quickly if you see rising water. Floods and flash floods can happen quickly. If you see rising water, do not wait for official warnings. Head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater.

Do not try to walk, play, swim, or drive in floodwater.

If a landslide occurs - or you see any signs that the ground is unstable - evacuate immediately. Watch for warning signs like small slips or rockfalls, water flowing out of a slope, trees or fences that start to tilt or doors and window frames that start to stick.

Don't wait for emergency mobile alerts or other official warnings if you see flood waters rising or suspect that a landslide is about to occur - trust your danger sense and act immediately.

Prepare for power cuts. Have torches ready and ensure you have access to a battery or solar-powered radio so you can stay up to date with the latest information and alerts.

Check on neighbours, especially those who may be elderly, isolated, or without reliable communications.

Roads and public transport today

Aucklanders are being advised to delay all unnecessary travel on Sunday due to the impact of Cyclone Vaianu.

Auckland Harbour Bridge is most at risk of closure from midday Sunday, and surface flooding across the region could start to occur from late evening Saturday.

You can keep updated with road closures across the region here

For public transport information check the AT Mobile App for up-to-date information or visit www.at.govt.nz

Shelter options

If you need to leave your home for safety reasons, can't get home or are asked to evacuate, the easiest place to go is to friends or whānau/family if possible.

If that isn't an option, we have opened five Civil Defence Centres (CDCs) in the wider Auckland region :

• Ostend Hall, Waiheke Island - Belgium Street, Ostend, Waiheke Island
• Wellsford Community Centre - 1 Matheson Road, Wellsford
• Shoesmith Hall - Shoesmith Street and Brown Road, Warkworth
• Helensville War Memorial Hall - 2 Porter Crescent Helensville (jointly operated with the local Community Response Group)
• Ellen Melville Centre - 2 Freyberg Place Auckland
  

We also have resources pre-positioned in both south and west Auckland, ready to open Civil Defence Centres quickly if communities there are impacted.

Learn more about what to bring with you here:
https://www.aucklandemergencymanagement.govt.nz/your-local/emergency-relief-centres/

Auckland Council services

Some council services are affected by the weather today.

• All sports fields around the Auckland region - CLOSED Sunday 12 April Arataki Visitor Centre - CLOSED Sunday 12 April
• All Tūpuna Maunga / ancestral mountains of Tāmaki Makaurau will remain closed until the morning of Monday 13 April, pending weather conditions.
• Postpone any remote walks and recreational activities at our parks and beaches until after the weekend.

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Update: 11 April 2026, 2pm

Civil Defence Centres to open at 9pm Saturday for urgent shelter

Auckland Emergency Management has opened five Civil Defence Centres at 9pm this evening to support those in need in Tāmaki Makaurau.

These centres can provide emergency shelter for anyone who needs a bed and cannot shelter with friends or whānau overnight.

"In preparation for what we expect to be a windy and wet night across the region, we are taking the precaution of offering centres where we have identified potential need," says Auckland Emergency Management Duty Controller Sarah Le Claire.

"We are prepared to open in other location if the need arises."

These centres will offer shelter and light snacks (tea, coffee and biscuits), and some basic sleeping options like inflatable mattresses.

Pack warm clothing, essential items like medicines, baby and children's items, including books and games, as well as special food items.

Please try to arrange alternative care for pets but if this is not possible, remember to bring supplies for them.

All Civil Defence Centres are wheelchair accessible, and a small number of pets can be accommodated.

Civil Defence Centre locations
• Ostend Hall, Waiheke Island - Belgium Street, Ostend, Waiheke Island
• Wellsford Community Centre - 1 Matheson Road, Wellsford
• Shoesmith Hall - Shoesmith Street and Brown Road, Warkworth
• Helensville War Memorial Hall - 2 Porter Crescent, Helensville (supported by the local Community Response Group)
• Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland Central.

Please do not arrive before 9pm.
Call 111 if there is an immediate threat to life or property.

Travel advice
Please delay all unnecessary travel on Sunday and
Visit Auckland Transport for the latest road closures and disruptions: Severe Weather: Flooding and Road Incidents April 2026

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Update: 10 April 2026

Auckland Emergency Management continues to urge Aucklanders to get prepared and have a plan ahead of Cyclone Vaianu arriving in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Auckland and Aotea Great Barrier Island are currently under three weather warnings - keep up-to-date with the latest MetService forecast and all current watches or warnings by downloading the MetService app from the App Store or Google Play, or visit the MetService website.

Prepare your home

If you or your property are in danger at any time, phone 111 - don't wait, natural warnings need to be acted on immediately.

Get ready for power outages:

• Strong winds bring down trees and can cause power outages.
• Make sure you've got a torch and batteries.
• Keep your phone and power banks charged.
• Have a battery-operated radio (remember, your car radio can be an alternative).

You can prepare your property ahead of time by:

• Put safety first. Don't take any chances.
• Checking drains and gutters to ensure they aren't blocked.
• Clearing tree branches, leaves and debris - these can cause flooding issues during heavy rain.
• Putting away or tying down any loose outdoor furniture and trampolines in case of high winds.

Have a plan and a grab bag

Consider where you might go if you need to leave home in a hurry. Have the talk and make a plan with whānau and friends about what you would do and where you would go if it is unsafe to shelter in place.

Have a grab bag prepped and ready with essentials like:

• Medication
• Warm clothes and sturdy shoes
• Chargers
• Snacks and water
• And remember babies and pets' needs too.

Delay unnecessary travel

• Plan your travel carefully and consider whether your travel this weekend is essential.
• Make sure you drive to the conditions and never drive through floodwaters or over slips.
• Drivers should expect the Auckland Harbour Bridge may need to be fully closed if wind gusts get too high. It is also likely that there will be lane closures and reduced speed limits in place.
• Check for real time updates before you travel on the NZTA Highway conditions page: Highway conditions for Auckland | NZTA Journey Planner.
• Allow extra time when travelling on public transport during severe weather in case there are delays during your journey. Before taking public transport check the live departures feature in the AT Mobile app.
• Postpone remote walks and recreational activities at our parks and beaches until after the weekend.
• The forecast is predicting large swells and high energy waves. These conditions are not ideal for boating or shore fishing.

Auckland Council services

• All sports fields around the Auckland region and Arataki Visitor Centre will be closed throughout the day on Sunday 12 April.
• Those who have booked to stay overnight at any of Auckland's regional parks this weekend are being advised to stay at home and are being offered full refunds.
• Tāwharanui campground, Te Haruhi Bay campground, and Tunnel Point campground will be closed this weekend.
• All Tūpuna Maunga / ancestral mountains of Tāmaki Makaurau will be closed until the morning of Monday 13 April, pending weather conditions.
• For tree damage on public land, go to the council's website and 'report a problem' online.
• Report stormwater issues and flooding to the council on 09 301 0101.

Visit the Auckland Council website for more information.

Advice for boaties

• Check your boat before the bad weather arrives.
• Secure sails and loose items on deck.
• Check condition of mooring lines and run extra lines and if necessary, consider removing your boat if on a mooring in an exposed mooring zone.
• Keep a close watch on the weather forecast.

Stay informed

• Keep up-to-date on the latest information from official sources and trusted channels.
• Stay up to date with weather forecasts and check AT and NZTA's journey planners for any public transport and roading disruption.
• Visit the AEM website for the latest information, and advice on getting your household prepared for an emergency - you can also visit the Get Ready website.
• Follow AEM on Facebook.