Manawatu-Whanganui Emergency Management urges residents and visitors to be ready for Cyclone Vaianu

People in the Manawatū-Whanganui Region should take steps to prepare for Cyclone Vaianu, which is forecast to impact the region on Sunday.

All further updates about Cyclone Vaianu, as well as helpful preparation information, can be found on the Manawatū-Whanganui Emergency Management Group website.

MetService New Zealand updated weather watches and warnings at 10am today, with the entire North Island under a watch or warning.

• Rangitīkei, Whanganui and Ruapehu – a strong wind warning is in place from 1pm until 11pm Sunday. Severe gale southeasterlies changing to severe gale southwesterly are forecast for Sunday evening, gusting 120km/h in exposed places.
• Tararua – a strong wind watch is in place from noon Sunday until 9am Monday. There is a high chance of an upgrade to a strong wind warning. Tararua also has a heavy rain watch in place from 11am until 11pm Sunday. There is a moderate chance of an upgrade to a heavy rain warning.
• Manawatū (including Palmerston North), Horowhenua – a strong wind watch is in place from 11am Sunday until 6am Monday. There is a high chance of an upgrade to a strong wind warning. 

To read more, see the news item on the Manawatū-Whanganui Emergency Management Group website here.

For further news about the weather event, and for the latest news and information,Manawatū-Whanganui Emergency Management Group website here.

Image: MetService weather watches and warnings across the North Island as of 10am on 10 April 2026.