One red and 22 orange rain and wind alerts have been issued across the North Island, with Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island in for the most severe gales. 

MetService says Cyclone Vaianu will hit the top northeast side of the country first at 9pm Saturday and work its way down. 

The red alert is a severe strong wind warning for Coromandel and Great Barrier Island effective from 5am to 6pm on Sunday, with wind gusts expected to hit 140km/h. People have been advised to stay indoors and avoid travel. 

The rain and wind warnings and watches are across the regions below. 

Northland 

Orange strong wind and heavy rain warning, heavy rain watch. 

The region will experience severe gales from 11pm Saturday through to early afternoon Sunday, with gusts expected to reach 130km/h. There’s a moderate chance this will be upgraded to Red. 

Northland and south of Bay of Islands to Hokianga Harbour will be hit by 50 to 80mm of rain, with the peak expected Sunday morning. It will go for 12 hours from 9pm Saturday night to 9am Sunday morning. 

There is a heavy rain watch in place for the rest of the Northland region, north of Bay of Islands. 

Meteorologist for Earth Sciences NZ, Chester Lampkin said at about 5pm the system will start to clear off the Northland region. 

“[Northland] May even get some sun by the afternoon hours on Sunday,” Lampkin said. 

• Cyclone Vaianu: Auckland Harbour Bridge closure warning issued, 140km/h gusts expected
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In late March, flooding in Northland forced the evacuation of 500 people from Kaitāia and caused havoc to the region’s roading network. 

Kaitāia in flooding late March triggered evacuations. Photo / Jason Dorday 

Auckland and Great Barrier Island 

Both a red and orange strong wind and heavy rain warnings. 

A red strong wind warning is in place for Great Barrier Island Sunday from 5am to 6pm. “Damaging” wind gusts of up to 140km/h are expected as MetService warned a “threat to life” from flying items and falling trees. 

Auckland will experience severe gales from 9pm Saturday through to 4pm Sunday, with gusts expected to reach 130km/h. 

Heavy rain is expected in both Auckland and Great Barrier Island with the peak falling on Sunday morning. The region will be hit by 70 to 100mm of rain, from the early hours of the morning through to 2pm. 

The Auckland Harbour Bridge faces possible closures with NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) warning drivers they should expect the bridge might need to be fully closed if wind gusts get too high. Lane closures and reduced speed limits were also likely. 

In 2023, the Auckland Anniversary floods claimed the lives of four people. The region saw widespread, extensive flooding. 

Cars were trapped in flood waters across Auckland. Photo / Dean Purcell 

Waikato 

Both a red and orange strong wind and heavy rain warnings, heavy rain watch. 

The same rare red strong wind warning is also in place for the Coromandel Peninsula, for the majority of Sunday, alongside Great Barrier Island. Forecasters have warned winds will cause widespread destruction and disruption including of powerlines, roofs, transport and power supply. 

Metservice has advised on its website for people in these areas to “stay indoors or seek sturdy shelter away from trees. Avoid travel. Be ready for power and communication outages”. 

Coromandel Peninsula can expect 14 hours of rain from 2am to 4pm Sunday. Between 150 to 180mm of rain is expected to fall. 

A heavy rain watch is in place for the rest of the Waikato region from 3am to 6pm Sunday. 

The Waikato Regional Council says the weather system is likely to cause moderate to significant coastal erosion along the east Coromandel Peninsula and Thames Firth. 

Significant erosion will very likely occur at Whangapoua, Matarangi, Kūaotunu, Hot Water Beach, Onemana, Whangamatā, Pauanui and Buffalo Beach, Whitianga. 

Sandbags are available in Whangamatā, Pāuanui, Tairua, Whitianga, Coromandel, and Thames. Sandbag locations are listed here. 

Bay of Plenty 

Orange strong wind and heavy rain warning, heavy rain watch. 

Bay of Plenty and Rotorua is under a strong orange wind warning with gales of 130km/h likely from 4am to 7pm Sunday. 

Bay of Plenty west of Whakatāne is under an orange rain warning and can also expect 14 hours of rain from 2am to 4pm Sunday, alongside Coromandel. 150 to 180mm of rain is expected to fall. 

While Bay of Plenty east of Whakatāne is under a heavy rain watch from 6am to 9pm. 

Gisborne/Tairāwhiti 

Orange strong wind and heavy rain warning, heavy rain watch. 

Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and Taihape are under a strong orange wind warning for 16 hours from 10am Sunday through to the early hours of Monday morning. 130km/h gusts are possible. 

Gisborne north of Tolaga Bay is under a heavy rain warning for 2am to 4pm Sunday and can expect rainfall of 150 to 180mm in the ranges, and 70 to 100mm closer to the coast. 

While Gisborne south of Tolaga Bay is under a heavy rain watch from 2am to 6pm Sunday. 

The region was hit hard in 2023, when Gabrielle Cyclone caused widespread, devastating chaos and death. 

The clean up in Te Karaka shortly after Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. Photo / Gisborne Herald file 

Waitomo/King Country 

Orange strong wind warning and heavy rain watch. 

Waikato, Waitomo, Taupō and Taumarunui are under a strong wind warning for 12 hours from 10am to 10pm Sunday. Severe gales of up to 120km/h are expected in the late afternoon through to evening. 

A heavy rain watch is in place for the same areas from 8am to 8pm. 

Taranaki/Manawatū/Wairarapa 

Orange strong wind warning and heavy rain and wind watches. 

An orange strong wind warning has been issued for Taranaki and Whanganui from 1pm to 11pm Sunday, with gusts of up to 120km/h felt in the afternoon and evening. 

Meanwhile heavy rain watches have been issued in the Wairarapa, including the Tararua District and eastern and southern parts of Wellington, for 12 hours from 11am Sunday. 

Strong wind watches are in place for Manawatu, Kapiti Coast, Wellington and Wairarapa, including the Tararua district, from midday Sunday through to the early hours of Monday morning. 

Earlier this year, heavy rain caused flooding and road closures in the Manawatū-Whanganui district. 

South Island 

There is a heavy rain watch in the Marlborough Sounds, including northeastern areas north of Kaikōura, from 2pm to midnight Sunday. 

Marlborough District Council chief executive John Boswell said that while Marlborough does not face the same rain and wind warnings as parts of the North Island, it is still a significant weather event and residents should be prepared.