Tropical Cyclone Vaianu Weather Watch

The State of Emergency for Ōpōtiki District has now been lifted

This marks an important step forward for our community as we move from response into recovery.

While the immediate risks have reduced, there is still work to do across our district.

What this means:

- Emergency powers are no longer in place

- Response teams are scaling down

- Recovery efforts are now underway

We now shift our focus to supporting whānau, cleaning up, and getting things together.

Power: Some homes are still without power at this time. Please report outages to Horizon Networks. Supply is gradually being restored. Please be aware crews are still working on faults, and outages may occur again. Check the outages map for updates: https://outages.horizonnetworks.nz/outages

Kutarere: If you are experiencing septic issues, portaloos are still available on Wharf Road

Welfare: If you are still without power, you are welcome to utilise the welfare centre at Terere Marae for showers, kai and charging devices. If your home is uninhabitable, please seek shelter at Terere Marae | 50a Terere Pā Road.

If you need support, please reach out, we’re here to help.

Ngā mihi nui to our community, iwi, hapū, whānau and partner agencies for the ongoing support, resilience and care you’ve shown. The manaakitanga across our district continues to shine and we are grateful to be part of the Ōpōtiki community.

Update 14/04/2026 – 9.20am

Our State of Emergency remains in place for the Ōpōtiki District as response and recovery efforts continue today.

Response teams are out and about across the district. They are assessing damage to roads, properties and infrastructure, clearing debris and fallen trees, checking access routes and safety risks, and supporting essential services to get back up and running.

Power is still out in parts of our district. If you haven’t already, please contact your power provider to report faults (if you are able to do so).

Rubbish & Recycling Ōpōtiki RRC is OPEN today 10am–2pm
Rubbish & green waste only (no recycling at this stage)
Kerbside collection will continue as usual today

Te Tāhuhu o te Rangi is OPEN today. If you need to charge devices or use Wi-Fi please visit the library.

Ōpōtiki isite remains closed.

Thank you Ōpōtiki! We want to acknowledge the incredible efforts of our community, iwi, hapū, whānau and partner agencies over the past few days. The manaakitanga, patience and resilience shown has been outstanding.

Please continue to take care and look out for one another. Kia haumaru te noho e te whānau | Stay safe everyone

Update 13/04/2026 – 5pm

EVENING UPDATE - NGĀ MIHI NUI ŌPŌTIKI

A heartfelt thank you to our community, iwi, hapū, whānau, and partner agencies for your patience and perseverance during this time. The manaakitanga shown across our district has been truly beautiful and we are so grateful and proud to call Ōpōtiki home.

⚠️UPDATES

Roads: SH2 and SH35 (Ōpōtiki – Hicks Bay) are OPEN

Power: Supply is gradually being restored. Please be aware crews are still working on faults, and outages may occur again.

Kutarere: If you are experiencing septic issues, portaloos are available on Wharf Road

Welfare: If your home is uninhabitable, please seek shelter at Terere Marae | 50a Terere Pā Road

Please continue to look out for one another and check in on your neighbours.

Kia kaha, kia haumaru e te whānau

Update 13/04/2026 – 2pm

COUNCIL SERVICES – ŌPŌTIKI DISTRICT

Council office will close at 4.30pm this evening. Please ensure your devices are dropped off by 3pm for charging and picked up by 4pm.

Resource Recovery Centres

Ōpōtiki RRC wil open tomorrow (Tuesday) from 10am – 2pm

They are accepting rubbish and green waste only – NO RECYCLING

Kerbside collection will continue as usual on Tuesday & Wednesday.

Te Kaha and Waihau Bay RRCs will remain CLOSED

Ōpōtiki isite Visitor Information Centre will remain CLOSED tomorrow (Tuesday)

Te Tāhuhu o Te Rangi will remain CLOSED tomorrow (Tuesday)

In an emergency: Call 111

Report flooding, slips, or urgent Council issues contact Ōpōtiki District Council

Stay informed

Follow trusted sources for updates:

Ōpōtiki District Council

Bay of Plenty Civil Defence

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Waikato & Bay of Plenty

We will be updating the information on our website

https://www.odc.govt.nz/our-council/news?item=id:2...

Tune in to Radio

1XX - 90.5FM Whakatāne | 1242AM Whakatāne 92.9FM Ōhope Beach

Sun FM - 106.5 FM

Tumeke FM - 96.9 FM

Update 13/04/2026 – 12.30pm

MIDDAY UPDATE – ŌPŌTIKI DISTRICT

Kia ora e te whānau, Cyclone conditions have passed, but the impacts are being felt across our district.

Current situation: Strong winds and heavy rain have left trees down, debris scattered, and roads affected in multiple areas. Please take care when moving around.

If your home is uninhabitable a welfare centre is being established at Terere Marae | 50A Te Rere Pa Road. You are welcome to take shelter here.

Assessment and clean-up crews are active across the district. This will take time, and we appreciate your patience

• Roads: Many roads are still impacted by fallen trees, slips, and surface flooding.
• Please avoid unnecessary travel and check NZTA/Waka Kotahi channels for the latest updates
• Power: There are still power outages across the district. Crews are working through faults, but progress depends on safe access.
• You are welcome to charge devices at the Ōpōtiki District Council office | 108 Saint John St. Bring your charger and device to drop off to be charged for 1 hour.

We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Kia kaha Ōpōtiki

ŌPŌTIKI DISTRICT COUNCIL – OPEN

Our reception at 108 Saint John Street is open for walk ins.
If you need help or to report issues to Council you can come in.
We are also operating a device charging station. You can drop off your device and charger for one hour.

Update 13/04/2026 8.30am

MORNING UPDATE – ŌPŌTIKI DISTRICT

A local state of emergency remains in place for the Ōpōtiki District.

We hope you all remained safe and calm overnight. Please continue to take care and look out for one another

There is a significant power outage affecting the district. A major line at the Edgecumbe substation has been damaged and Trustpower are reporting it may take up to 72hrs to sort.

All downed or damaged power lines must be treated as live. Immediate hazards can be reported to 0800 HORIZON — 0800 467 496.

Medically dependent customers are urged to activate their emergency plans if they experience a loss of electricity supply.

Customers are advised to contact their electricity retailer in the first instance for outage reporting and updates.

Power outage advice

• Light up - Make sure everyone knows where the torches and batteries are. Your emergency supplies don’t have to be in a kit, but you might have to find them in the dark.

• Stay tuned in - Communications are down. Many of you will be experiencing network outages. Have a solar or battery powered radio so you can keep up with the latest news and alerts. Know which radio stations to tune in to for information during an emergency.

• Stock up - Have a stock of food that doesn’t need to be cooked (canned is good) or something to cook your food on (gas barbecue or camp stove). Don’t forget food for babies and pets.

• Fridge first - Eat the food from your fridge first, then your freezer. Then eat the food in the cupboard or your emergency kit.

• Plan for your medical needs - Your power company can help you put an emergency response plan in place so you know what to do if the power goes out.

• Medically dependent customers are urged to activate their emergency plans if they experience a loss of electricity supply.

• Talk to your neighbours - Talk to your neighbours about what they’ll do if the power is out. You might find they have a gas barbecue and you have enough food and water to share (or the other way round).

Roads

There are multiple hazards on our roads, we have trees down, hazardous debris, and traffic road signage, such as stop signs, have been destroyed. We urge extreme caution when travelling on the roads.

• SH2 Matekerepu/Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki – OPEN
• SH2 Waioweka Gorge – OPENING AT 10am
• SH35 Ōpōtiki to Hicks Bay – Emergency Vehicles & Residents ONLY
• SH35 Hicks Bay to Ōkitu – OPEN

Check NZTA website or Facebook for the latest updates before heading out

Services

• Many services within the Ōpōtiki District will be unable to operate today (Monday) due to the power outage. Check local business sites for updates.

• Ōpōtiki isite Visitor Information Centre and all Resource Recovery Centres are closed today (Monday).

• Ōpōtiki New World are hoping to be open at 10am today, check their Facebook page for updates

In an emergency: Call 111

Report flooding, slips, or urgent Council issues contact Ōpōtiki District Council

Stay informed

Follow trusted sources for updates:

Ōpōtiki District Council

Bay of Plenty Civil Defence

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Waikato & Bay of Plenty

Tune in to Radio

1XX - 90.5FM Whakatāne | 1242AM Whakatāne 92.9FM Ōhope Beach

Sun FM - 106.5 FM

Tumeke FM - 96.9 FM

Update April 12 2026 – 7pm

CYCLONE UPDATE – ŌPŌTIKI DISTRICT

Kia kaha e te whānau

Conditions remain challenging across our district tonight. Please continue to take care and look out for one another.

Power outages: We are aware many areas remain without power. Crews will respond when it is safe to do so. Horizon Networks advises that severe weather affecting the region today has resulted in multiple power outages. Restoration is expected to take longer than normal due to ongoing weather conditions, which are currently preventing fault crews from safely accessing and switching the network. Please be patient and report outages to your provider if you can.

If you are at home:

• Stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel
• Keep torches and phones charged where possible
• Check on neighbours, especially elderly or vulnerable whānau
• Keep fridges/freezers closed to preserve food
• Use generators safely and never indoors

If you are in an evacuation centre:

• Follow instructions from staff and volunteers
• Let staff know if you need medical support, supplies, or assistance
• Be mindful of shared spaces and support others around you

General safety:

• Stay off beaches and away from coastal areas
• Do not drive through floodwater
• Slips and debris may still occur, please take extreme care

Road Closures

• SH2 Matekerepu/Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki – CLOSED
• SH2 Waioweka Gorge – CLOSED

SH35 Ōpōtiki to Ōkitu – CLOSED

Services

• Many services within the Ōpōtiki District will be unable to operate tomorrow (Monday) due to the power outages. Check local business sites for updates.
• Ōpōtiki isite Visitor Information Centre and all Resource Recovery Centres will be closed Monday
• Ōpōtiki New World is hoping to open tomorrow, check their Facebook page for updates
• In an emergency: Call 111
• Report flooding, slips, or urgent Council issues contact Ōpōtiki District Council

Kia haumaru te noho e te whānau – stay safe tonight

📲 Stay informed

Follow trusted sources for updates:

• Ōpōtiki District Council
• Bay of Plenty Civil Defence
• NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
• MetService New Zealand

🔗 https://www.odc.govt.nz/our-council/news?item=id:2xsep367x17q9s6338t9

Update 12 April 2026 - 4pm

CYCLONE UPDATE – ŌPŌTIKI DISTRICT

Conditions remain active. Please continue to take precautions, minimise travel, and stay away from coastal areas.

Road Closures

• SH2 Matekerepu/Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki – CLOSED
• SH2 Waioweka Gorge – CLOSED
• SH35 Ōpōtiki to Ōkitu – CLOSED

Power Outages Horizon Networks advises that severe weather affecting the region today has resulted in multiple power outages. Restoration is expected to take longer than normal due to ongoing weather conditions, which are currently preventing fault crews from safely accessing and switching the network.

We are actively monitoring conditions and services across the district and will provide updates as we receive them.

• Emergency? Call 111/
• Report flooding, slips, or urgent Council issues contact Ōpōtiki District Council
• For power outages contact your electricity provider.

Kia haumaru te noho e te whānau

Update 12 April 2026 - 2pm

CYCLONE UPDATE – ŌPŌTIKI DISTRICT

Severe weather conditions are intensifying, with the worst impacts expected from 2:00pm today.

Road Closure

State Highway 35 & State Highway 2 are closed.

Power Outages

We are aware of power outages affecting parts of the district.

Do not travel – stay where you are

Stay off beaches and away from coastal areas

Please continue to follow official updates from Bay of Plenty Civil Defence, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Waikato & Bay of Plenty

If your life is in danger, call 111 immediately.

Kia haumaru te noho e te whānau | Stay safe everyone

Update 12 April 2026 - 11.10am

Safety Advice

We strongly encourage all residents to:
• Stay indoors where possible
• Stay away from coastal areas and beaches
• Avoid travel
• Plan for power outages
Coastal Risk & Evacuations
As a precaution, some low-lying coastal areas have been contacted and evacuated due to the risk of:
• Coastal inundation
• Storm surge
• Large waves
At this stage, Ōpōtiki township is not at risk of coastal inundation.
Emergency services and staff have been working overnight and continue today to support door-to-door evacuations in affected areas.
If you are in a coastal or low-lying area and feel unsafe, please self-evacuate immediately to:
• Whānau or friends further inland, or
• A Community Evacuation Centre
Need help or to report an issue?
- Emergency (life-threatening): Call 111
- For flooding, slips, or urgent Council issues contact Ōpōtiki District Council
- For power outages contact your electricity provider.
- Be prepared for possible power outages. http://www.powerco.co.nz/.../being-prepared-for-a-power...

Update 12 April 20226 - 8.45am

Cyclone Vaianu – Morning Update

We hope you all remained safe and calm overnight. Our teams have been actively monitoring conditions, and response efforts continue across the district this morning.

A State of Local Emergency remains in place for Ōpōtiki District.

Current Weather Warnings

• 🔴 Red Strong Wind Warning
• 🟠 Orange Heavy Rain Warning

Ōpōtiki is likely to feel the wind impacts from 1pm today. This is the highest‑risk time of this cyclone.

We expect extremely strong storm surges and high waves to coincide with high tide today is around 2.15pm.

Conditions will be serious and unpredictable, and we continue to monitor the situation closely.

Strong winds remain the most significant risk, with the potential for damage to trees, powerlines, and structures. Periods of heavy rain may still lead to localised flooding and slips, particularly in vulnerable areas.

Coastal Risk & Evacuations

As a precaution, low-lying coastal areas have been evacuated due to the risk of:

• Coastal inundation
• Storm surge
• Large waves

At this stage, Ōpōtiki township is not at risk of coastal inundation.

Emergency services and staff have been working overnight and continue today to support door-to-door evacuations in affected areas.

If you are in a coastal or low-lying area and feel unsafe, please self-evacuate immediately to:

• Whānau or friends further inland, or
• A Community Evacuation Centre

Road Closures

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advise:

• SH2 Waioweka Gorge – Closed
• SH35 at Hicks Bay – Closed

Both roads are expected to remain closed throughout today and overnight. They will be reassessed on Monday.

• Avoid travel
• Check NZTA website or Facebook for the latest updates

Community Evacuation Centres

Community evacuation centres remain open across the district for those who need them. Please refer to our website or earlier updates for locations.

Services including 4square and gas stations are open at the moment.

• New World Ōpōtiki – Closed until 1pm (to be reassessed)
• Mitre10 Ōpōtiki - Closed
• Ōpōtiki isite & all Resource Recovery Centres – Closed
• Emergency (life-threatening): Call 111
• For flooding, slips, or urgent Council issues contact Ōpōtiki District Council

• For power outages contact your electricity provider. Be prepared for possible power outages. Find the most up to date outage information at www.powerco.co.nz

⚠️ Safety Advice

We strongly encourage all residents to:

• Stay indoors where possible
• Stay away from coastal areas and beaches
• Avoid unnecessary travel
• Never drive or walk through floodwater

Be Prepared

• Have essential supplies ready (food, water, torches, batteries)
• Keep phones charged
• Prepare a grab bag with important items
• Check in on neighbours, especially those who may need support
  Need help or to report an issue?

We will be updating the information on our website as the situation evolves, you can also get the latest updates and guidance from these great sites:

• National Emergency Management Agency Website | X (formerly Twitter) | Facebook
• Weather warnings from MetService
• Waka Kotahi Map: Road closures and traffic conditions
• Bay of Plenty Civil Defence website | Facebook page
• Check the Ōpōtiki District Council Facebook page »
• Tune in to Radio
  • 1XX - 90.5FM Whakatāne | 1242AM Whakatāne | 92.9FM Ōhope Beach | Listen Online
  • Sun FM - 106.5 FM | Listen Online
  • Tumeke FM - 96.9 FM | Listen Online

For media enquiries email media@odc.govt.nz.

Huge thanks to Te Whanau a Apanui, Ngai Tai and Whakatohea for their support standing up many of these centres.

Update 11 April 2026

EVACUATION NOTICE – ŌPŌTIKI DISTRICT

A local state of emergency is in place for the Ōpōtiki District as Cyclone Vaianu approaches.

Evacuate now. The evacuation notice is in place from now until Monday at 9am. This will be reassessed and updated as required.

Residents in coastal or low-lying areas including Ōhiwa Harbour Road/spit, Ōhiwa Loop Road, Ruatuna Road, Bryans Beach, Kutarere, Tirohanga, Opape, Te Rangiharu Bay and Whangaparaoa are advised to evacuate immediately.

Expected conditions include large waves and storm surges, coastal flooding, heavy rain and potential slips. Do not wait. Leave while it is safe to do so.

Where to go:

Stay with whānau or friends further inland, or your nearest community evacuation centre.

You can find the list of community evacuation centres below.

• Woodlands Hall | 299 Woodlands Road
• Terere Marae | 50A Terere Pa Road
• Waiaua Marae | 205 Motu Road
• Waioweka Marae | 21 Waioweka Pa Road
• Ōmarumutu Marae | 7 Ōmarumutu Road
• Te Kura o Tōrere | 2274 State Highway 35, Tōrere
• Maraenui Kohanga Reo | 3688 State Highway 35, Maraenui
• Waiorore Marae | 6357 State Highway 35, Te Kaha
• Te Kaha Marae | 6786B State Highway 35, Te Kaha
• Te Kura o Te Whānau a Apanui | 6870 State Highway 35, Te Kaha
• Maungaroa Marae | 7071 State Highway 35, Te Kaha
• Tawaroa Civil Defence Hub | 147 Tawaroa Station Road
• Waihau Bay Fire Station | 113 State Highway 35, Waihau Bay
• Kauaetangohia Marae | 11332 State Highway 35, Cape Runaway
• Te Kura o Whangaparaoa | 11555 State Highway 35, Cape Runaway
• Potaka Marae | 7157 State Highway 53, Potaka

Please take with you:

Medications, warm clothes, blankets & pillows, phone & charger, Important documents, essential supplies – food, water, torches.

Stay away from coastal areas and beaches. Do not walk or drive through floodwater. Minimise travel unless evacuating.

Stay up to date – make sure you keep up to date and stay informed with the latest weather forecast at MetService New Zealand.

Stay safe and take care.

We will be updating the information on our website as the situation evolves, you can also get the latest updates and guidance from these great sites:

• National Emergency Management Agency Website | X (formerly Twitter) | Facebook
• Weather warnings from MetService
• Waka Kotahi Map: Road closures and traffic conditions
• Bay of Plenty Civil Defence website | Facebook page
• Check the Ōpōtiki District Council Facebook page »
• Tune in to Radio
  • 1XX - 90.5FM Whakatāne | 1242AM Whakatāne | 92.9FM Ōhope Beach | Listen Online
  • Sun FM - 106.5 FM | Listen Online
  • Tumeke FM - 96.9 FM | Listen Online

For media enquiries email media@odc.govt.nz.

Huge thanks to Te Whanau a Apanui, Ngai Tai and Whakatohea for their support standing up many of these centres.

UPDATE 11/04/26 2:15pm

COMMUNITY EVACUATION CENTRES – ŌPŌTIKI DISTRICT

At this stage, no mandatory evacuations are in place yet but if you feel unsafe, especially in coastal or low-lying areas, self-evacuate to a community evacuation centre or go to whānau/friends further inland.

Take essentials with you:

• Medications, warm clothes, phone/charger, blankets & pillows, essentials, food, important documents
• Emergency? Call 111

Kia haumaru te noho e te whānau