More states of emergency have been declared in the North Island as Cyclone Vaianu bears down on the country. The agency has repeatedly said the combination of damaging winds, heavy rain and coastal inundation makes this a "multi-hazard, potentially life-threatening event". MetService's latest severe weather advisories, about 2.30pm on Saturday. Image: MetServiceThe agency has severe weather advisories in place for the whole of the North Island, and as of 3.30pm states of emergency had been declared for Northland and Waikato including the Coromandel, Hawke's Bay, Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki and western Bay of Plenty. About 2.30pm on Saturday all of the North Island was covered by severe weather alerts, many of them orange heavy rain warnings.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 11, 2026 00:01 UTC