Update - Monday, 13 April 2026
- No weather watches or warnings in place.
- It looks like Kawerau got away without too much damage.
- Widespread issues reported on various roads and State Highways. Please check Waka Kotahi Map: Road closures and traffic conditions before travelling.
- Please take care today on the road, and also around embankments and any areas that could subside, or trees that could give way after the heavy rain.
- Call 111 in an emergency
- Contact Council via Antenno or using the Council Fix It form to report a non-urgent issue
Update – Sunday, 12 April 2026
Stay up to date – make sure you keep up to date and stay informed with the latest weather forecast at MetService New Zealand.
Stay safe and take care.
You can also get the latest updates and guidance from these sites:
- National Emergency Management Agency Website | X (formerly Twitter) | Facebook
- Weather warnings from MetService
- Waka Kotahi Map: Road closures and traffic conditions
- Bay of Plenty Civil Defence website | Facebook page
- Check the Kawerau District Council Facebook page
- Tune in to Radio
- 1XX - 90.5FM Whakatāne | 1242AM Whakatāne | 92.9FM Ōhope Beach | Listen Online
- Sun FM - 106.5 FM | Listen Online
- Tumeke FM - 96.9 FM | Listen Online
REMEMBER - if you are looking to report something relating to a Council service. Our teams are on stand-by over the weekend. However, we will need to assess if its safe to respond during the height of the storm. Council facilties may be affected and may need to close. Please expect delays or closures. We will keep you up to date as much as we can.
Our phone lines are open 24/7 073069009. If it is an emergency - please contact Emergency Services via 111.
Due to the upcoming heavy rain and strong wind warnings with Cyclone Vaianu, ALL Council Services will be closed on Sunday 12 April.
- Maurie Kjar Aquatic Centre
- Transfer Station
- Tarawera Falls
- isite
- Kawerau District Library
- Kawerau District Council
We apologise for any inconveniences this may cause.
Information about weather warning - MetService
Please drive safely and drive to the conditions if you are out on the roads!
Check the Waka Kotahi | NZTA Journey Planner to see what roads are open before heading out
REMEMBER - if you are looking to report something relating to a Council service. Our teams are on stand-by over the weekend. However, we will need to assess if it's safe to respond during the height of the storm. If you do have to drive, please expect delays or closures. We will keep you up to date as much as we can.
Our phone lines are open 24/7 07 306 9009. If it is an emergency - please contact Emergency Services via 111.
Stay safe out there whānau
Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Period: 14hrs from 2am - 4pm Sun, 12 Apr
Area: Coromandel Peninsula, and Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane including Rotorua
Forecast: Expect 150 to 180 mm to accumulate, especially about the ranges. Peak intensities of 20 to 30 mm/hr Sunday morning and early afternoon. Note, in addition to the wind and rain, large swells and coastal inundation are likely. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Strong Wind Warning - Orange
Period: 15hrs from 4am - 7pm Sun, 12 Apr
Area: Bay of Plenty and Rotorua
Forecast: Severe gale easterlies changing to severe gale westerly Sunday afternoon, gusting 130km/h in exposed places. High chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible. Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Drive safely today, everyone! With the rain creating excessive surface water, it's important to slow down and stay alert. Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds.
Remember, wet roads can be slippery and unpredictable. Let's all be mindful and keep our distance to ensure a safer journey for everyone.
Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.
Update – Friday 10 April 8:30am
Cyclone Vaianu is forecast to bring strong winds, heavy rain and large swells to large parts of New Zealand. This storm has the potential to be a significant and damaging event.
A Strong Wind Watch is in force for the entire North Island on Sunday, with some areas likely to be upgraded to Orange, or possibly Red, Warnings as the cyclone approaches and its track becomes clearer.
More rain falling on ground that’s already saturated, means impacts like fallen trees, landslides, flooding and dangerous river conditions are more likely.
Get Ready
Take steps now to get ready before Cyclone Vaianu arrives.
- Bring inside or tie down anything that strong winds could break or pick up. If you have a trampoline, turn it upside down to minimise the surface area exposed to wind and tie it down firmly.
- Remove any debris or loose items from around your property. Branches and firewood can become airborne in strong winds.
- Check on neighbours, especially those who may be elderly, isolated, or without communications.
- Clear waste and debris away from drains.
- Make and practise your emergency plan, make a grab bag and have emergency supplies in case you need to evacuate.
- Be prepared with torches and have a solar or battery powered radio so you can keep up with the latest news and alerts.
- Find advice to get prepared at GetReady.govt.nz
Put safety first
If life, health or property is at risk, call 111.
Don’t take any chances. 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: even water just 15 centimetres deep can sweep you off your feet, and half a metre of water will carry away most vehicles. Flood water is often contaminated and can make you sick.
Landslides can occur without any warning signs. Be aware of the potential for landslides, particularly in the weeks after potential triggering events, such as heavy rainfall, earthquakes, and previous landslides. If you see a landslide, move quickly out of its path and stay away from it.
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.
Weather warning as of Friday 10 April 8:30am
Heavy Rain Watch
Period:
14hrs from 2am - 4pm Sun, 12 Apr
Area:
Coromandel Peninsula, and Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane including Rotorua
Forecast:
Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach or exceed warning criteria. Large swells and coastal inundation are likely. High chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Impact:
Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action:
Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.
Strong Wind Watch
Period:
21hrs from 4am Sun, 12 Apr - 1am Mon, 13 Apr
Area:
Waikato to Wellington, including Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and the central high country
Forecast:
Easterly quarter winds turning west to southwesterly. Winds are likely to reach severe gale in exposed places and may be damaging. High chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Impact:
Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Action:
Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. Drive cautiously. Preparedness advice.
9 April 2026
The current situation – Orange Weather Rain and Wind Watches
Cyclone Vaianu is likely to move across the North Island on Sunday 12 April.
We are watching the situation closely and Metservice is monitoring and modelling different scenarios over the coming days.
If Cyclone Vaianu follows its current expected course, it will bring damaging, potentially life-threatening winds across large areas of the North Island. The North Island is currently under a Orange Heavy Rain Watch and in the Bay of Plenty we also have a Orange High Winds Watch.
However, uncertainty remains in the cyclone's exact track, so the locations of the most severe winds are not yet certain. As confidence in the track increases, Metservice may upgrade parts of this Watch to Orange or possibly Red Warnings.
Vaianu will also bring heavy rain, with Heavy Rain Watches and/or Heavy Rain Warnings being issued on Thursday for some areas.
What you can do now (before the weather arrives)
Residents should prepare for substantial rainfall and likely high winds.
Heavy rainfall may lead to surface flooding, slips, and rapid rises in streams and rivers.
Plan ahead for travel on the weekend – delay travelling or plan to arrive earlier to avoid travelling during the worst of the weather. If you can, stay home and keep warm.
Get Storm-Ready.
- Check gutters, drains
- Secure anything that might go flying in gusty winds – trampolines, umbrellas, rotten branches, tarps and paddling pools.
- Check online for other things to do on the Get Ready website.
If you see something you think council needs to know about before the weekend, please call us at 073069009. For non-urgent issues, please use our Fix It website portal.
Be prepared in case there are power outages on the weekend - if the impact is widespread on Sunday, power companies may be under pressure and it might take some time to get power reconnected if there are lines down. Check you have batteries for any radios, charge your phones, store water for several days' supply.
Stay up to date – make sure you keep up to date and stay informed with the latest weather forecast at MetService New Zealand.
Stay safe and take care.
You can also get the latest updates and guidance from these sites:
- National Emergency Management Agency Website | X (formerly Twitter) | Facebook
- Weather warnings from MetService
- Waka Kotahi Map: Road closures and traffic conditions
- Bay of Plenty Civil Defence website | Facebook page
- Check the Kawerau District Council Facebook page
- Tune in to Radio
- 1XX - 90.5FM Whakatāne | 1242AM Whakatāne | 92.9FM Ōhope Beach | Listen Online
- Sun FM - 106.5 FM | Listen Online
- Tumeke FM - 96.9 FM | Listen Online
REMEMBER - if you are looking to report something relating to a Council service. Our teams are on stand-by over the weekend. However, we will need to assess if its safe to respond during the height of the storm. Council facilties may be affected and may need to close. Please expect delays or closures. We will keep you up to date as much as we can.
Our phone lines are open 24/7 073069009. If it is an emergency - please contact Emergency Services via 111.