Cyclone Vaianu Retreats: 220mm of Rain Drenches Coromandel as Warnings Ease

Cyclone Vaianu tracked away from New Zealand overnight after dumping 220mm of rain on the Coromandel. Evacuation orders in the Bay of Plenty have been lifted.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 4:30 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Rainfall and Wind Extremes

As the cyclone swept past the North Island, meteorological stations recorded significant totals in the 24 hours leading into Monday morning.

Coromandel: The base of the peninsula recorded a peak of 220mm of rain.

Bay of Plenty: Higher ground and inland areas saw between 140mm and 150mm.

Māhia Peninsula: Coastal wind gusts reached 126km/h, with even higher speeds reported at offshore monitoring stations.

MetService meteorologist John Law noted that while the cyclone veered slightly further east than some models predicted, it remained within the "cone of uncertainty" throughout its passage.