Whatatutu Volunteer Fire Station

12/04/2026

12/04/2026

Mōrena whānau!

Vaianu isn’t finished with us yet, so stay safe out there. Here’s the latest from the MetService as at 10am (Sunday).

‼️ There is an ORANGE HEAVY RAIN WARNING 🌧️for Tairāwhiti north of Tolaga Bay for the 10 hours from 9am today through to 7pm tonight. MetService say to expect a further 120-140mm of rain about the ranges on top of what has already fallen with 60-80mm closer to the coast. Peak rates of 25-40mm/hr possible in downpours this afternoon. Large swells and coastal inundation are likely about the coast. There is a moderate chance of upgrading to a red warning.

‼️ There is an ORANGE STRONG WIND WARNING 🌬️ for Tairāwhiti for the 18 hours from 9am this morning through to 3am tomorrow morning. MetService are forecasting severe gale easterlies changing to severe gale north westerlies late Sunday afternoon or evening, gusting 139km/hr in exposed places. There is a moderate chance of upgrading to a red warning.

‼️ And . . . there is a YELLOW HEAVY RAIN WATCH 🌧️ for Tairāwhiti about and south of Tolaga Bay and Hawke’s Bay, north of Cape Kidnappers, for the 10 hours from 9am this morning through to 7pm tonight (Sunday). Expect periods of heavy rain with amounts possibly approaching warning criteria. Large swells and coastal inundation are likely. There is a moderate chance of upgrading to a warning.

You know the drill. Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Expect surface flooding, slips and difficult driving 🚗 conditions. Clear your gutters and drains. Avoid low-lying areas. Secure items around your property that could be scooped up by the strong winds 🌬️.

Take care out there whānau 💙.

11/04/2026

Latest from MetService New Zealand

CYCLONE VAIANU – SUNDAY MORNING 6AM UPDATE

Current position:
• The centre of Cyclone Vaianu is around 160km northeast of Great Barrier Island
• Moving southeastwards

Overnight conditions:
• Strongest gust: 131 km/h at Mokohinau and Channel Island
• 24-hour Rainfall:
160mm at the Pinnacles (Coromandel)
90mm Whangarei

While the centre of Cyclone Vaianu is still offshore it has caused a very windy night across the top of the country, especially around the exposed northeastern coasts along with large waves of 6m off the Bay of Plenty coast, and periods of heavy rain.

Today looks like our windiest day for most, switching direction for places like Northland and Auckland as we head through the morning.

There’s still plenty of Severe Weather Warnings and Watches in place across the North Island and top of the South Island. www.metservice.com/warnings

11/04/2026

11/04/2026

Across the motu and here in Tairawhiti, Fire and Emergency New Zealand have been preparing for the impacts of Cyclone Vaianu. We want to know if you are prepared.

What are you doing today to prepare your home and yourselves?

10/04/2026

⚠️ Message from our District Commander

With the Tropical Cyclone 🌀expected to impact our region this weekend, now is the time to be prepared and stay safe.

Please stay informed by following trusted sources:
✔ Tairāwhiti Civil Defence Emergency Management Group
✔ Gisborne District Council
✔ Emergency Services
✔ Your local Civil Defence teams – they will have the most up-to-date information for your area

Make sure you’ve got the essentials sorted in case you are cut off — kai (food), wai (water), fuel, medications, and supplies for your whānau and pets.

Check in on neighbours, especially those who may need extra support. Manaakitia te tangata — look after one another.

📞 In an emergency, call 111

Kia noho haumaru, kia mataara — stay safe and be alert.
Me mahi tahi tātou mō te oranga o te katoa — let’s work together for the wellbeing of everyone.

10/04/2026

Here’s what you need to know about travel during the bad weather that’s forecast for this weekend due to Cyclone Vaianu.

Cyclone Vaianu is forecast to hit the North Island from this Saturday (11 April) and is highly likely to cause significant disruption to travel on the roads, especially on Sunday.

Always check our page before you travel to see if state highways are affected. Follow us if you aren’t already.

We’re proactively closing State Highway 35 between Te Araroa and Hicks Bay from 6:30pm on Saturday due to the already fragile Punaruku slip site caused by the severe weather earlier this year. We're also proactively closing SH2 through Waioweka Gorge from 6pm on Saturday. We’ll inspect both roads on Monday morning and update you on their status using this page.

Avoid travelling in severe weather. If you absolutely must travel, slow down, increase your following distance, and turn your headlights on dipped. Don’t drive through any floodwater, even if it looks shallow.

Here’s what we’re doing to prepare our state highways as much as we can in advance of the weather:

• We have roadworkers proactively clearing drains and culverts so we can reduce the rain’s effect on the roads.
• Roadworkers will respond to any effects on the state highways as soon as it’s safe for them to be out on the roads. This includes clearing slips, fallen trees, flooding, or other things that may block the state highways.
• We’ll always keep state highways open for as long as it’s safe to travel, but be prepared for us to close affected state highways if your safety is at risk. Keep in touch with us through our pages below.

Stay safe and follow HB Civil Defence Emergency Management Group, Tairāwhiti Civil Defence, MetService New Zealand, and us for updates.

Prepare for the bad weather from now. Use the advice in this post from NZ Civil Defence: https://www.facebook.com/NZCivilDefence/posts/pfbid0zMxd5LYKpAdKN1Trr78ixeYbg8P1sWkKw1DfiQGgU5317DTTSEMXn1imr4LD6NEtl

08/04/2026

⚠️Heads up, wet and windy conditions could be on the cards going into the weekend 🌧️

Tairāwhiti Civil Defence is keeping an eye on Cyclone Vaianu, which may bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of the North Island. Its exact track is still uncertain, and we’ll keep you updated as we know more.

While there’s still uncertainty, now is a good time to get a few things sorted at home:
✔ Clear gutters and drains
✔ Bring in or secure loose outdoor items (e.g. garden furniture, trampolines)
✔ Check on whānau, neighbours, and anyone who might need help
✔ Move farm animals to areas that are safe from flooding and high winds.
✔ Stay up to date with the latest weather information from MetService New Zealand

More information on preparing for storms is available at https://getready.govt.nz/

In an emergency, call 111 🚒
To stay up to date with information, keep an eye on Tairāwhiti District Council website and social media pages.

Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. You can take steps to be prepared.

08/04/2026

Now is also the time to review your household emergency preparedness. Make sure everyone in your whānau has what they need for the likely impacts of the incoming weather.

National Emergency Management Agency has practical tips and checklists on the Get Ready website.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1250188983959703&id=100069058394999

Mōrena whānau!

We knew this was coming thanks to CYCLONE VAIANU! MetService has issued both a YELLOW HEAVY RAIN WATCH and a STRONG WIND WATCH for Tairāwhiti.

‼️ There is a YELLOW HEAVY RAIN watch for Gisborne north of Tolaga Bay is in place for the 14 hours from 2am Sunday through to 4pm Sunday. Expect periods of heavy rain with amounts possibly approaching or exceeding warning criteria. Large swells and coastal inundation are likely. There is a high chance of upgrading this to a warning.

‼️ There is also a YELLOW HEAVY RAIN WATCH for Gisborne about and south of Tolaga Bay for the 16 hours from 2am Sunday through to 6pm Sunday. Expect periods of heavy rain with amounts possibly approaching or exceeding warning criteria.

‼️ There is also a YELLOW STRONG WIND WATCH for Gisborne for the 24 hours from 6am Sunday to 6am Monday. MetService are forecasting north easterly quarter winds turning westerly with winds likely to reach severe gale level in exposed places and may be damaging.

⭕️ You know the drill whānau! Be prepared. Clear you gutters and drains around you homes. Avoid low-lying areas and stay off the roads if you can. Stay safe out there. 💙

Here’s the link to MetService warnings 👉 https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home
Keep an eye on our page and make sure you are following it with notifications on.

07/04/2026

Warnings have been issued across parts of the North Island as Category 2 Cyclone Vaianu approaches New Zealand.

Forecasters warn 90–120mm of rain could fall in a short time, increasing the risk of flooding, slips, and dangerous conditions.

MetService says Cyclone Vaianu, currently northwest of Fiji, is expected to strengthen to Category 3 or higher before tracking toward Northland and Auckland this weekend, with potential for significant impact.

Heavy rain watches are in place for Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, and the Bay of Plenty.

Cyclone Maila (Category 3) in the Solomon Sea, is not expected to affect New Zealand.

Do you know where your local evacuation centre is just in case?

Is your emergency kit ready and enough water, food and medicines to last 3-4 days.
Your emergency kit should include the following items:
- A portable radio, 📻torch 🔦and spare batteries🔋
- Fresh drinking water 💦 and dried/ canned 🥫non-perishable food items.
- Matches and cooking utensils
- A first aid kit🩹⛑️
- Medications, toiletries and sanitary supplies
- Blankets and other items you think are necessary

03/04/2026

➡️DAYLIGHT SAVINGS ENDING TONIGHT
Don’t forget to turn your clocks ⏰ back an hour before going to bed tonight.
If you don’t have working smoke alarms, message us or scan the QR code below.