Cyclone Vaianu: pre-emptive state of emergency declared

Last Updated: Sunday, 12 April 2026 05:56 | Published: Sunday, 12 April 2026 05:54 | Print | Email

A pre-emptive Waikato regionwide State of Emergency has been declared today as Cyclone Vaianu approaches. This step has been taken due to the potential for severe weather across the region, including heavy rain and strong winds. We are closely monitoring conditions across the district.

Please take the current warnings seriously.

MetService New Zealand warnings remain in place for our area:

Orange Strong Wind Warning (2am-11pm Sunday)

Yellow Heavy Rain Watch (1am-6pm Sunday)

These mean we are expecting hazardous winds and periods of heavy rain as the cyclone makes landfall and travels south over New Zealand.

What you should do now:

Stay up to date with official weather and emergency updates.
Install the Antenno app on your phone and add your address so you get notifications directly to your mobile.
Secure loose items around your property. Turn trampolines upside down and tie them down.
Clear drains and gutters where it is safe to do so
Avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain or strong winds
Check on neighbours, whānau, and those who may need help to prepare
f you know your property is in an area likely to be affected, please make plans now, including where you could stay if evacuation becomes necessary. If you need to evacuate, we ask that you go to friends or family first, if it is safe to do so. If you need somewhere safe to go during the cyclone, give us a call on 0800 746 467
Please contact our call centre on 0800 746 467 for council-related urgent matters. For non-urgent issues please log them on the Antenno app. For emergencies please always call 111.

You may have seen Civil Defence Centres opening in some neighbouring coastal areas and wondered what this means for our community. As we are not a coastal district and face different risks, we have not yet reached the stage to open a Civil Defence Centre.

Please be assured we are actively planning for this, and if support is needed, Civil Defence Centres can be opened quickly in the locations that best support the community. Opening centres too early would draw on the same limited, dedicated staff who are currently focused on readiness and response.

While a regionwide State of Emergency is in place, Matamata-Piako's response is locally led, with decisions made based on conditions on the ground.

For updates on any local impacts, please visit mpdc.nz/weather

Stay informed, stay safe.

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Cyclone Vaianu: pre-emptive state of emergency declared