Severe flooding and landslides struck Wellington, New Zealand, between April 20 and 21, 2026, after 77 mm (3 inches) of rain fell in less than 1 hour, prompting evacuations across multiple suburbs and leaving one person missing. A state of emergency remains in place as saturated ground and additional rainfall maintain the risk of further flooding and landslides.
Red Heavy Rain Warnings were issued for Wellington and Wairarapa on Monday, April 20, 2026, as flooding, swollen rivers, and landslides cut through infrastructure across the region, prompting the declaration of a state of emergency. Further heavy rain is forecast through Tuesday, April 21, with accumulations of up to 150 mm (5.9 inches) expected in the hardest-hit areas.
Cyclone Vaianu crossed New Zealand’s North Island on Sunday, April 12, 2026, bringing damaging winds, torrential rain, and large swells that caused flooding, evacuations, power outages, and transport disruption across several districts. The storm made landfall near the Māketū Peninsula in Bay of Plenty shortly after 14:00 LT on Sunday before tracking southeast and moving offshore later that evening. Cleanup continued on Monday as authorities assessed slips, flood damage and coastal impacts.
Cyclone Vaianu is forecast to move south across New Zealand’s North Island on Sunday, April 12, 2026, bringing a multi-hazard threat, including damaging winds up to 140 km/h (87 mph), heavy rainfall, and coastal inundation risk. A Red Strong Wind Warning is in force for the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island, with widespread Orange warnings and watches covering much of the North Island and upper South Island. Significant disruption to transport, power supply, and communities is expected.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Vaianu was located south of Fiji on April 8, 2026, producing localized flooding while weakening under strong wind shear. The system is forecast to transition into an extra-tropical system before moving toward New Zealand, where damaging winds, heavy rain, and hazardous coastal conditions are expected during the weekend of April 11-12.
Tropical Cyclone Vaianu reached Category 3 intensity near Fiji on April 7, 2026, generating heavy rainfall exceeding 140 mm (5.5 inches), flooding in low-lying areas, and strong winds. Authorities have issued multiple warnings across Fiji, including for flooding and dangerous marine conditions. The system is tracking southeast toward New Zealand, where severe weather impacts are forecast later this week.
A deep subtropical low prompted a Red Heavy Rain Warning for parts of Northland, New Zealand, on March 25, 2026, with 230–280 mm (9–11 inches) of rain forecast for areas east of Kaikohe from Doubtless Bay to Whangārei through early March 27. MetService and local authorities warned of dangerous river conditions, significant flooding and slips, with some communities at risk of isolation.
New Zealand’s MetService issued a Red Warning for heavy rain covering the Manawatū, Rangitīkei, and Ruapehu Districts at 14:36 NZDT (01:36 UTC) on February 15, 2026. The highest-level alert was issued in consultation with Horizons Regional Council as a deep low-pressure system moved south along the eastern North Island, with life-threatening flooding, slips, and river surges expected overnight into February 16. A pre-emptive state of emergency has been declared for the entire Horizons Region.
Prolonged heavy rain affecting New Zealand prompted MetService to raise heavy rain warnings to the highest alert level at 09:08 LT on January 21, 2026, amid a multi-day rainfall event and the influence of a tropical low.
A small meteotsunami was observed along New Zealand’s East Coast and Lake Taupō last week as a strong weather system swept across the upper North Island, GeoNet reported on December 8, 2025.
