New Zealand faces a double weather threat as a separate weather system hits the North Island before Tropical Cyclone Vaianu approaches later in the week. 

Forecasters warn it is “increasingly likely” the cyclone will affect New Zealand this weekend, with the majority of tracking scenarios indicating landfall somewhere in the upper North Island on Sunday. 

Today, a front moves west to east across the top of the country, bringing strong winds and a deluge of rain. 

Heavy rain warnings are in place for several parts of the country, with the Bay of Plenty west of Whakatāne at an orange level until 9pm. 

“As this unstable air crosses over there’s a risk of some thunderstorms but also there’s that moderate risk of some localised downpours,” MetService forecaster Michael Pawley told the Herald. 

Up to 120mm of rain is also forecast for Northland, with a moderate risk the watch in place will be upgraded to a warning. 

The latest track of Cyclone Vaianu projected by the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre. 

Road closures are in effect for some parts of the region, with flooding and fallen trees reported to NZTA Waka Kotahi. 

• SH15 Te Pua - Flood warning, drive to the conditions. 
• SH10 Waipapa - Traffic management is in place due to surface flooding. 
• SH10 Mangonui - Surface flooding present. 
• SH10 Kaeo - Surface flooding present. 

Another heavy rain warning is in place for Tasman northwest of Motueka until 8am today. 

NZTA has asked motorists not to drive through flood water, reduce speed and drive to the conditions. 

“Road conditions can change rapidly - please be prepared for roads to be closed at short notice.” 

Temperatures are set to stay at warmer levels despite the wet weather, with Whakatāne set to have muggy overnight lows of 18C for several nights this week. 

“There’s a lot of tropical air coming down, we’ve got some moist air, warm overnight temperatures for the weekend, and even earlier in the week we’re seeing some quite warm overnight temperatures for this time of year.” 

Cyclone Vaianu will hit the North Island this weekend after intensifying over the Pacific earlier in the week. Photo / MetService 

Cyclone on track for New Zealand 

Preparation for bad weather is already underway in several parts of the country as Vaianu intensifies in the Pacific. 

Pawley said the direction of the category three cyclone is still hard to predict days out from the weather event. 

However, the risk is expected to be highest in the north and east of the North Island. 

Big swells will likely also pose danger on the water. 

“That’s something to definitely keep up to date with on the marine forecast,” Pawley said. 

“When you get big swells, they actually can bend around headlands and they get into places that smaller wave lengths don’t get to.” 

A Niwa Weather animation showing possible paths for the cyclone has most scenarios indicating a landfall somewhere in the upper North Island on Sunday. 

Far North District Council has set up recovery hubs to support locals affected by recent severe weather, as more rain looms for the area. 

The FNDC said: “Information, advice, and support related to welfare, accommodation, financial assistance, wellbeing, and wider recovery matters, can be easily accessed. 

“This approach avoids the need for storm-affected whānau to navigate multiple systems independently. 

“The initiative is part of the Civil Defence transition from an emergency to a recovery response, following recent severe weather in the district.”