Image of wind forecast for 6am, Sunday April 12, 2026. Image / Niwa
Tairāwhiti residents have been advised to “stay calm” but “be prepared” as Cyclone Vaianu approaches the North Island.
MetService has issued upgraded wind and rain watches for the weekend this morning, after plans were put in place for a preemptive closure of State Highway 35.
Tairāwhiti Civil Defence has urged people to make sure they have a plan to meet the likely impact of the cyclone.
Heavy wind and rain warnings come into force for Gisborne from early Sunday morning as the weather event hits the region.
An orange heavy rain warning for Gisborne, north of Tolaga Bay, covers 14 hours from 2am to 4pm on Sunday.
“Expect 150 to 180 mm of rain about the ranges, with 70 to 100mm closer to the coast. Peak rates of 20 to 30mm/h. Note, large swells and coastal inundation are likely,” MetService said.
It advised a “moderate” chance, which means between 30% and 60%, of it upgrading to a red warning.
An orange strong wind warning over Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and Taihape covered 16 hours from 10am Sunday to 2am Monday.
Severe gale easterlies changing to severe gale westerlies on Sunday afternoon or evening were forecast, with gusts up to 130km/h in exposed places.
MetService said this also had a “moderate” chance of upgrading to a red warning.
It said damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures was possible and advised people to prepare their property by securing items that could be picked up by strong winds.
“Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.”
A yellow heavy rain watch over Gisborne, about and south of Tolaga Bay, covered 16 hours from 2am to 6pm on Sunday.
MetService said this had a “high” chance of upgrading to a warning, defined as greater than 60%.
State Highway 35 between Te Araroa and Hicks Bay will be closed from Saturday night, in anticipation of the heavy rainfall and strong winds forecast from Cyclone Vaianu.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said the road will close pre-emptively at 6.30pm on Saturday.
“It will remain closed throughout Sunday and will only reopen if and when safe to do so following an engineer assessment on Monday,” a spokesman said.
“SH35 between Te Araroa and Pōtaka remains fragile and unstable following the initial damage caused by severe weather in January.
“This proactive closure is based on the likelihood that the rainfall and wind speeds are expected to exceed pre-determined safety thresholds at Punaruku slip between Hicks Bay and Te Araroa.”
State Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge is open this morning after material from yesterday’s slip was cleared.
NZ Transport Agency said motorists should allow extra time for delays, and with poor weather forecast, be prepared for short notice closures if conditions change.
The highway was closed, reopened and closed again on Thursday as dirt and debris continued to slip from the hillside.
Tairāwhiti Civil Defence recommended that people decide where they will go if they need to evacuate.
“Make sure everyone in your household knows,” it said.
“Your evacuation place will probably be with friends or family, so make sure they know your plans.
“Have a grab bag ready for everyone in your household.
“It should have warm clothes, a bottle of water, snacks, copies of important documents, and a photo ID.
“Remember any medications you may need. Keep your first aid kit, torch, radio and batteries, mobility devices and any other essential supplies somewhere you can grab them in a hurry.
“Before the weather starts, bring pets indoors and move animals to a safe place. Your pets can get unsettled by storms and it is more comforting and safer for them to be with you.
“Prepare for power outages. Fully charge your phones and power banks and check you have data or credit on your phone.”
The region’s Civil Defence Emergency Management has been leading meetings that include Gisborne District Council, emergency services, government agencies, iwi, community civil defence teams across the region, NZTA Waka Kotahi, the Ministry for Primary Industries, the New Zealand Defence Force and other stakeholders.
“The meetings have been to ensure everyone is best placed to kick into gear should the need be,” TCDEM group manager Ben Green said.
“The region will have a better idea of what it can expect by Friday morning, but until then, it is imperative there is a regional state of readiness in place.
“Things will escalate relevant to the weather warnings and other information we receive from MetService.
“We know how fragile our networks are for some of our communities, and we want to make sure our people are prepared.
“Some of our concerns and preparation are around properties that are at risk for landslides or flooding.”
Mayor Rehette Stoltz encourages everyone to stay calm but be prepared.
“We’ve done this before and we can do it again,” she said.
“Make sure your whānau is prepared should the roads close or supply chains be interrupted.”
Green said that while the Emergency Co-ordination Centre has not been activated, it was a hive of activity and would be open through the weekend.