Cyclone Vaianu Hits New Zealand's North Island, Causing Floods, Power Outages and Evacuations

Cyclone Vaianu struck New Zealand's North Island on Sunday, crossing the coast near the Maketu peninsula with destructive winds exceeding 130 km/h, heavy rain and large swells. National weather provider MetService described the system as life-threatening. Flooding occurred in affected areas, and hundreds of residents evacuated.

Approximately 5,000 homes lost electricity due to the storm, though power was restored to about 2,000 homes. Emergency declarations were enacted across multiple regions, with officials issuing their highest-level wind warnings. Fire and Emergency New Zealand responded to over 100 incidents involving wind damage and surface flooding.

Emergency Response and Evacuations Authorities ordered mandatory evacuations at 270 properties in the Whakatane District, which sustained considerable damage.

Military personnel from the New Zealand Defence Force mobilized alongside heavy machinery to support operations. Officials expressed concern about intensifying conditions over the following 12 hours, particularly in the afternoon when high tides could combine with powerful swells to cause significant coastal flooding.

The cyclone's trajectory shifted eastward, sparing some areas from the full force.

Weather monitoring recorded gusts reaching 130 km/h in certain locations, while Whangarei experienced more than 100 millimeters of rain in a 24-hour period. Offshore, wave heights exceeded six meters. m.

Storm Path and Comparisons MetService forecasters anticipate the storm will track southward through the North Island before exiting via Hawke's Bay on Sunday evening.

Air New Zealand grounded more than 90 turboprop services, mainly affecting regional North Island airports, with some delays to domestic jet and international routes. The cyclone drew comparisons to 2023's Cyclone Gabrielle, which caused significant damage and loss of life.

" — Heather Keats, MetService head of weather news, Sunday (GB News) Officials noted that while conditions would improve overnight, the system remained dangerous during its passage.

No immediate reports of fatalities emerged from the initial impacts, though the potential for deadly conditions persisted.