A holiday home rental management company is refunding bookings for those in Cyclone Vaianu’s path, with almost $1600 on its way back to one woman who feared a planned family birthday getaway to Coromandel Peninsula could risk their lives.
Paula Baker booked a four-night stay in Whitianga from Sunday to celebrate her 50th birthday with family. The party included her parents, aged in their 70s, and her 3-month-old granddaughter.
But after MetService said on Wednesday Cyclone Vaianu would bring damaging and potentially life-threatening gale-force winds and heavy downpours to the upper North Island this weekend, Baker decided to cancel.
Her free cancellation option had expired about four days before but she hoped Bachcare, which manages the property, would waive the cost given the dangerous weather conditions expected and high potential for road closures.
But the New Plymouth grandmother was told no, because “the roads are still open”.
“I said, ‘You expect us to travel, seven of us – with a baby – and there’s a possibility that roads are going to be closed, there’s going to be slips, and you want us to travel over there?’”
Despite her fears, she kept being told a refund was “against policy”.
“And I’m like, ‘I know it’s against policy, but are you not seeing the news?’”
Baker then suggested switching the booking to a later date, which would have added $300 to the cost, but was again turned down.
“They said, ‘No, because the road’s still open and we are continuing to monitor the weather’.”
Baker made a final attempt last night but hadn’t heard back when she spoke to the Herald this morning.
However, after the Herald contacted Bachcare for comment, the company called, Baker said early this afternoon.
“They’ve just rung and offered [a] full refund.”
It was taking a “flexible approach” with Cyclone Vaianu-related cancellation requests, given the “latest updates … and the potential risks”, Bachcare customer and owner relations manager Teina Smith told the Herald.
The safety of guests was “always our top priority … at Bachcare”, Smith said.
“While our standard policy requires confirmed travel disruption, such as road closures or official restrictions, before changes can be made outside of the cancellation window, we recognise that severe weather forecasts can create genuine concern for travellers.”
He didn’t refer to Baker by name, but said the company was “working directly with affected guests to either move their booking to a later date or provide a refund where travel is no longer feasible”.
Bachcare staff would continue to monitor official guidance, and Smith encouraged guests to contact Bachcare if their circumstances changed, so the company could provide support.
CYCLONE VAIANU WARNINGS UPDATE
— MetService NZ (@MetService) April 9, 2026
🔴 RED STRONG WIND WARNING - Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island 🔴
💨 Strong Wind Watches and Warnings for the entire North Island 🟠 🟡
🌧️ Heavy Rain Watches and Warnings for most of the North Island and Marlborough Sounds 🟠 🟡
More… pic.twitter.com/tYWyVvZrG6
MetService this morning upgraded rain and wind watches before Cyclone Vaianu’s arrival, including issuing a rare red level wind warning for Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island, with severe gales expected on Sunday – including damaging gusts up to 140km/h – and heavy rain also forecast.
Lives would be at risk from flying items and falling trees, powerlines and roofs were expected to be damaged, and driving conditions would be “dangerous”, the national weather service said.
“Stay indoors or seek sturdy shelter away from trees. Avoid travel. Be ready for power and communication outages.”
A swag of strong wind and heavy rain warnings and watches have been issued across the North Island and upper South Island as the cyclone nears.