Entire North Island Under Watch as Cyclone Vaianu Eyes Sunday Landfall

MetService issues a preliminary severe weather watch for the entire North Island as Cyclone Vaianu nears. Landfall is expected Sunday between Auckland and Coromandel.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 6:14 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Tracking the Path: Auckland to Coromandel Landfall

As of Thursday, April 9, 2026, latest modeling suggests Cyclone Vaianu—currently a Category 3 system south of Fiji—will begin impacting the upper North Island late Saturday.

Landfall Window: Expected Sunday daytime, likely between Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula.

Movement: The storm is forecast to accelerate south-southeast across the heart of the North Island, potentially exiting near Hawke’s Bay late Sunday or early Monday.

Intensity: While the system may transition into a deep extra-tropical low before reaching New Zealand, it remains a "very significant and damaging" event with wind gusts expected to exceed 110km/h, particularly in the Kaimai Range and eastern hills.

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