A potentially life-threatening category two cyclone is days away, with forecasters and local authorities warning North Island residents to urgently prepare.

Close to 20 heavy rain and strong wind watches have been issued from Saturday evening.

MetService has warned that as of this afternoon, the centre of Cyclone Vaianu is tracking to make landfall between Auckland and Coromandel on Sunday.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has labelled the approaching system as “damaging and significant”.

Each of the North Island’s nine regional councils and emergency agencies has advised residents on how to best prepare and stay safe in their area.

Locals across the North Island are being advised to:

• Secure properties and clear drains
• Avoid unnecessary travel during the peak of the cyclone
• Prepare for potential power outages and isolation
• Have emergency plans and supplies ready
• Road users should reduce their speed, use headlights and drive according to the conditions

A potentially life-threatening category two cyclone is days away, with forecasters warning North Island residents to prepare. Photo / NZH

Northland

The Far North District Council advised residents that severe conditions are expected to be felt from Saturday through to Monday.

MetService has issued a heavy rain watch for Northland from 9pm Saturday to 9am Sunday. A strong wind watch is also in place from 9pm Saturday until 6pm Sunday.

“Northland is identified as one of the regions most likely to be affected, impacting areas in our district already trying to recover from other recent weather events,” the council said.

The council said ground conditions remained highly saturated, which would increase the risk of slips and localised flooding.

The council said it was prepared to reactivate the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) if the conditions warranted it.

Auckland

Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) has activated its Emergency Co-ordination Centre (ECC) to alert mode “orange” to co-ordinate support and manage any preparations.

AEM warned Cyclone Vaianu could cause power outages, falling trees, flooding, slips and road closures.

AEM general manager Adam Maggs said it is essential Aucklanders prepare now.

“Preparation and making a plan saves lives,” Maggs said.

A heavy rain watch is in place for Auckland and Great Barrier Island from 2am Sunday until 2pm, with a moderate chance of upgrading to a warning.

A strong wind watch has been issued for Auckland and Great Barrier Island from 9pm Saturday to 6pm Sunday.

Residents are advised to start preparing their properties, such as checking their drains and gutters for debris, and putting away or tying down any loose outdoor furniture and trampolines.

“Check you’ve got a torch and batteries, keep your phone and power banks charged, and have a battery-operated radio,” AEM said.

The agency said people should plan travel accordingly and “never drive through floodwaters or over slips”.

It said “large swells and high energy waves” are forecast for the weekend, which could become dangerous for boating or shore fishing.

Waikato

MetService has issued a heavy rain watch for the Waikato region from 3am Sunday until 6pm.

A strong wind watch is in place for the western parts of the North Island, including the Coromandel Peninsula, from 4am Sunday to 1am Monday.

Thames-Coromandel District Council’s Civil Defence and Emergency manager Brian Carter said the cyclone would be the area’s third major storm this year.

Carter said preparations are underway, including fallback power supplies at crucial infrastructure locations, increasing treated water levels in reservoirs to 100%, and operating wastewater treatment plants at maximum capacity to lower their levels.

The Waikato Regional Council said the cyclone may cause flooding to some catchments and exacerbate the existing landslip risk.

“Our regional flood response team continues to monitor forecasts closely and flood and drainage infrastructure – even when flood room is deactivated – and will provide updates if the risk of heavy rain and flooding increases for the Waikato region,” the Waikato Regional Council said.

Seabreeze Holiday Park owner Deborah Horton told the Herald the park would remain open and was ready to help people.

The holiday park is located on State Highway 25 between Coroglen and Hot Water Beach.

“Thankfully, we’re a bit higher… we’re the nominated community centre for emergency events.

“We have a generator so have power for water and food and other things,” Horton said.

Bay of Plenty

MetService has issued a heavy rain watch for Bay of Plenty west of Whakatāne, including Rotorua. This watch is in place from 2am Sunday until 4pm.

Bay of Plenty Civil Defence said the conditions are expected to be different from the recent weather the region has experienced.

“It includes a combination of rain, wind and potential storm surges. It’s likely to hit the Bay on Sunday, and while the impacts are expected to be severe, the good news is we have time to prepare,” Bay of Plenty Civil Defence said.

Whakatāne District Local Controller Nicholas Woodley said while there is still uncertainty around the cyclone’s exact path, the message was clear: prepare now.

While no evacuations are required at this stage, residents in coastal areas, or anyone who feels unsafe, are being encouraged to make early arrangements to stay with friends or family if needed.

“Cyclone conditions are currently forecast to arrive around 3am Sunday. No one wants to be evacuating in the dark, in severe weather,” Woodley said.

If required, a welfare centre will be activated at the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall, and other locations if needed, with clear instructions provided at the time.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said SH2 Waioweka Gorge has closed after a slip, and it urged people to delay travel where possible or allow extra time for a long detour.

Gisborne

Tairāwhiti Civil Defence has issued similar advice to other regional authorities, but also highlighted the importance of avoiding low-lying areas during the cyclone.

Gisborne/Tairāwhiti north of Tolaga Bay is under a heavy rain watch from 2am until 4pm on Sunday.

Gisborne about and south of Tolaga Bay is under the same watch from 2am until 6pm on Sunday.

The region has also been issued a strong wind watch from 6am Sunday until 6am Monday.

Hawke’s Bay

Hastings District Council has advised residents to prepare a simple plan for their household, pets and farm animals before the storm.

Locals are also advised to check on neighbours.

MetService issued a strong wind watch for Hawke’s Bay from 6am Sunday until 6am Monday.

The region will also be under a heavy rain watch for 16 hours from 2am to 6pm on Sunday.

Taranaki

Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management said the region is forecast to experience heavy rain and strong winds on Sunday through to Monday.

“We are actively monitoring this event alongside our partners and will continue to share updates as needed,” it said.

A heavy rain watch is in place for Taranaki from 8am Sunday until 8pm.

Manawatū-Whanganui

Civil Defence Manawatū Whanganui said it is set to have a meeting at 3pm today with councils, partner agencies, emergency services and other people involved in civil defence and emergency management across the region.

An update is set to be announced after the meeting.

The Marton Harvest Festival has been cancelled because of the severe weather forecast for the area.

Wellington

MetService has issued a strong wind watch for the Wairarapa from 6am Sunday until 6am Monday.

The Wellington Region Emergency Management Office said it will update residents as information develops.