“If you do need to travel, please drive extra carefully and avoid areas where there is flooding. Take extra care in low-lying coastal areas, which are prone to flooding, such as State Highway 1 heading southbound after Esmonde Rd. Evacuations were underway this afternoon in impacted areas in Waimārama, Ocean Beach, Te Awanga and Haumoana, in coastal Hawke’s Bay. Strong wind and heavy rain watches and warnings are in force for much of the North Island and upper South Island, including the Chatham Islands on Sunday and early Monday. A red strong wind warning is also in place for the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua from 4am until 8pm tomorrow.

Source: New Zealand Herald April 11, 2026 07:33 UTC