Follow live updates of Cyclone Gabrielle here.
Cyclone Garielle has left a path of destruction across numerous North Island regions, including Auckland, Northland, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay. Stay tuned to this file for the latest location of Gabrielle - and MetService’s region-by-region warnings.
Region-by-region warnings
As of 3pm Tuesday, MetService has these weather warnings/watches in place:
- Northland: Red strong wind warning until 9pm Tuesday
- Auckland including Great Barrier Island and other islands in the Hauraki Gulf: Red strong wind warning until midnight Tuesday
- Coromandel: Orange strong wind warning until midnight Tuesday
- Gisborne: Orange heavy rain warning until midnight Tuesday; strong wind watch until 2am Wednesday
- Hawke’s Bay (especially about the ranges): Orange heavy rain warning until 2am Wednesday
- Taranaki: Red strong wind warning until 10pm Tuesday
- Mt Taranaki: Orange heavy rain warning until midnight Tuesday
- Wairarapa including the Tararua District, Wellington, Horowhenua, and the Kapiti Coast: Orange strong wind warning until midnight Tuesday
- Wairarapa - Turakirae Head to Mataikona: Heavy swell warning until noon Wednesday
- Marlborough and Nelson southeast of Mapua including Nelson Lakes: Orange strong wind warning until 2am Wednesday
- Eastern Marlborough south of Blenheim, including the Kaikoura Coast: Orange heavy rain warning until midnight Wednesday
- Canterbury Plains and the foothills north Rakaia River: Heavy rain watch until midnight Wednesday
- Chatham Islands: Strong wind watch until 2am Wednesday
The latest information on the cyclone - including interactive maps tracking its location and any relevant events or incidents as well as weather data and evacuation centre sites when available - will be published on this page.
Air NZ flights
- Flights planned to resume Tuesday to all ports other than New Plymouth, Napier and Gisborne
- High winds challenging airport operations in some parts of the country. Ongoing disruption expected
- Extra flights to get customers home sooner – 11 around New Zealand and three to Pacific Islands
- International flexibility extended
At Auckland Airport, domestic and international jet operations resumed from mid-morning Tuesday but were temporarily paused due to strong gusts at Auckland Airport. Flights are planned to resume on Tuesday to all ports other than New Plymouth, Napier and Gisborne.
The airline says a total of 592 flights have been impacted due to the cyclone, with around 35,000 customers disrupted across its whole network. “Urgent work is under way to rebook customers onto other flights – with around 1500 international customers still to be rebooked,” it said in a statement early on Tuesday afternoon.
Air New Zealand is also extending flexibility for those customers affected by cyclone disruptions up to 17 February. International customers can now change travel up to March 8 without a change fee, service fee or fare difference applying. If travel is only available in a higher cabin, the fare differential will apply. Tickets can also be put into credit towards travel within 12 months. For those travelling domestically, flexibility applies until 22 February 2023.
Tararua Civil Defence Centre
Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki nui-a-Rua have set up a Civil Defence Centre at the Dannevirke Sports Centre on Anderson St. Food, warmth and shelter is available for those that need it or anyone who is unable to make it home.
Auckland Civil Defence Centres, Shelters, and Community Hubs
These CDCs will be open and staffed from 7pm Sunday, February 12 for people needing refuge from Cyclone Gabrielle
- Shelters: provide a place to be safe while the worst of the weather passes. Blankets and hot drinks will be available, but shelters aren’t equipped for extended stays.
- Civil Defence Centres (CDCs): are equipped to provide you with a safe place to eat, sleep and access essential support services.
- Community Hubs: Community Support Hubs have been opened which will be staffed by government welfare and support services. Agencies and community groups, alongside Auckland Emergency Management, will be there to provide needs assessments and offer support, including accommodation if needed.
- Community Led Centres: These sites are stood up by community groups, at marae, in local churches or by neighbourhoods using local buildings. They are not run by Auckland Emergency Management. Please check the group’s website or Facebook page, if they have one, before you visit one of these community-lead centres
What to bring: Items for children and babies, like formula, nappies and toys; essential medicines; photo identification (if you have it); and warm clothes. Pets are welcome but dogs must be on a leash and if possible muzzled. You may be asked to keep your dog in your car. Cats in a cage or carrier, if possible, please.
Auckland Civil Defence Centre (CDCs) and Shelter addresses (by Local Board):
Albert-Eden
Mt Albert Senior Citizens Hall, 3B Wairere Ave, Mt Albert. SHELTER: Blankets, tea & coffee, council staff to help.
Aotea Great Barrier
Auckland Council Service Centre, 75 Hector Sanderson Rd, Claris, Great Barrier Island. CDC: Stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies, psychosocial support.
Devonport-Takapuna
Takapuna War Memorial Hall, 7 The Strand, Takapuna. SHELTER: Blankets, tea & coffee, council staff to help.
Franklin
Waiuku Community Hall, 10 King St, Waiuku (Waiuku Library complex). SHELTER: Blankets, tea & coffee, council staff to help.
Helensville - Parakai
Helensville Primary School Hall, 29 Rata Street, Helensville. SHELTER: Bedding, blankets, tea & coffee, council staff to help.
Henderson-Massey
Te Manawa, 11 Kohuhu Lane, Massey (Westgate). CDC: Stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies, psychosocial support.
The Trusts Arena, 65-67 Central Park Drive, Henderson. CDC: Stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies, psychosocial support.
Hub West, 27 Corban Avenue, Henderson. CDC: stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies, psychosocial support.
Hibiscus & Bays
Stanmore Bay Pool and Leisure Centre, 159 Brightside Road, Stanmore Bay. CDC: stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies, psychosocial support.
AUT Millennium, 17 Antares Place, Rosedale North Shore. CDC: stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies, psychosocial support.
Howick
Fencible Lounge, 25 Uxbridge Rd, Howick (Howick Library). CDC: Stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies, psychosocial support.
Kaipatiki
Birkenhead Leisure Centre, 46 Mahara Ave, Birkenhead. SHELTER: Blankets, tea & coffee, council staff to help.
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu
Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Leisure Centre, 66R Mascot Ave, Māngere. CDC: Stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies, psychosocial support.
Manurewa
Manurewa Leisure Centre, 33 Frances St, Manurewa. CDC: Stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies, psychosocial support.
Maungakiekie-Tāmaki
Riverside – Taha Awa Community Centre, 20-22 Peace Ave, Mt Wellington. SHELTER: Blankets, tea & coffee, council staff to help.
Ōrākei
Colin Maiden Park (former Unisports Building), 71-73 Merton Rd, Glen Innes (behind cricket club). SHELTER: Blankets, tea & coffee, council staff to help.
Ōtara-Papatoetoe
Te Puke ō Tara Community Centre, 20 Newbury St, Ōtara. CDC: Stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies, psychosocial support.
Papakura
Elizabeth Campbell Hall, 294 Great South Rd, Papakura. CDC: Stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies, psychosocial support.
Puketāpapa
Fickling Convention Centre, 546 Mt Albert Rd, Three Kings. SHELTER: Blankets, tea & coffee, council staff to help.
Rodney
Waimauku War Memorial Hall, 24 Waimauku Station Rd, Waimauku. SHELTER: Blankets, tea & coffee, council staff to help.
Ahuroa Hall, 1345 Ahuroa Rd, Makarau. SHELTER: Blankets, tea & coffee, council staff to help.
Warkworth Town Hall, Corner Neville and Alnwick Sts, Warkworth. CDC: Stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies, psychosocial support.
Wellsford Community Centre, 1 Matheson Rd, Wellsford. CDC: Stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies, psychosocial support.
Upper Harbour
Albany Community Hub, 575A Albany Highway, Albany. CDC: Stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies, psychosocial support.
AUT Millennium, 17 Antares Place, Rosedale North Shore. CDC: stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies, psychosocial support.
Waiheke
Waiheke Resources Trust, 1 Mako street, Oneroa - (access impacted by weather, only Blackpool and Onerea residents only). CDC: stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies, psychosocial support.
Waiheke Service Centre, 10 Belgium Street, Ostend - (Open to all). CDC: stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies, psychosocial support.
Waitākere
Titirangi War Memorial Hall, 500 South Titirangi Rd, Titirangi. SHELTER: Blankets, tea & coffee, council staff to help.
Waitematā
Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland. SHELTER: Blankets, tea & coffee, council staff to help.
Whau
New Lynn Community Centre, 45 Totara Ave, New Lynn. CDC: Stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies, psychosocial support.
Auckland Community Support Hubs
Community Support Hubs have been opened which will be staffed by government welfare and support services. Agencies and community groups, alongside Auckland Emergency Management, will be there to provide needs assessments and offer support, including accommodation if needed.
These centres are located at:
- Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Pool and Leisure Centre, 66R Mascot Ave, Mangere (24 hours)
- New Lynn Community Centre, 45 Totara Avenue, New Lynn (9am-5pm)
- Birkenhead Leisure Centre, 46 Mahara Avenue, Birkenhead (9am-5pm)
- Manu Tukutuku, 32 Riverton Drive, Randwick Park (9am-5pm)
Auckland Harbour Bridge
Waka Kotahi and Auckland Transport say it is quite likely the Auckland Harbour Bridge will open and close throughout the day. If the Auckland Harbour Bridge is open, bus services will operate as normal as possible. However, if the bridge closes due to high winds there are a number of service disruptions. The following is key information for bus uses travelling between the North Shore and the city centre.
Auckland buses
From North Shore to city:
• Bus routes 82, 923, 95B, 95C, 95G, 97B, 97R will end and start from Akoranga
• Only NX1 will shuttle between Hibiscus Coast/Albany and Akoranga
• Every 3rd NX1 trip will detour from Constellation Station to Customs St, city centre via SH16/SH18
• NX2 will run normal from Hibiscus Coast /Albany to Constellation and then detour from Constellation Station to Wellesley St, city centre via SH16/SH18
• 866 will act as a shuttle between Albany and Akoranga. This way some of NX1s can be used as standby buses at Constellation
• 966 on Shore Side will either terminate their trips at Akoranga or 966 trips can be suspended/cancelled during disruption because the route is the same as that of 95s and 97s and these will also be terminating/starting from Akoranga.
• 931, 933, 939 on Shore side will terminate and start trips from Akoranga
City to North Shore:
• NX1 and NX2 will run via SH16/18 from their starting points via Hobson St, SH16/SH18 to Constellation Station. Passengers can then transfer to NX1 shuttle service to Hibiscus Coast /Albany or to Akoranga.
• 82 and 923 will run as shuttle buses to pick up pax from stops that are impacted/missed by NX1 and NX2 and will take pax to the starting points of NX1 (7016) and NX2 (7089).
• 866 can either run to Albany or Constellation via SH16/18 or can run as normal until Ponsonby and then detour to the starting point of NX1.
• 966 buses that are on City side can continue to run as normal until Ponsonby and then detour to the starting point of NX1.
• 931, 933 and 939 on City Side either can run as shuttle between UoA and Lower Albert Street/Quay Street. Customers can then transfer to NX1, 95s and 97s)
Bus services in the South and West of the city will operate as close as normal as possible
Auckland trains
All services will resume from 3pm Tuesday. Rail buses will continue to operate on all lines until 4pm Tuesday and are accepting rail tickets and HOP cards.
Auckland ferries
Ferry cancellations are expected throughout Monday. Half Moon Bay services will operate on the weekend timetable with an additional 8:15pm from Auckland and 7am and 9pm from Half Moon Bay. This is to enable sailing at reduced speeds.
Services reduced at:
Half Moon Bay
Birkenhead/Bayswater
Hobsonville Point
Devonport
What to pack in a ‘grab bag’
What are tropical cyclones?
They are sprawling, swirling areas of low pressure packing gale-force winds and stretching hundreds of kilometres across the tropics where they form.
They could be thought of like “giant atmospheric heat engines” that draw moisture from the warm ocean as fuel and generating enormous amounts of energy as clouds form.
Morton said rotating thunderstorms formed spiral rainbands around their centre where the strongest winds and heaviest rain were found – creating a wildly-destructive “eye wall” around the eye.
This formation sucks heat 15km or higher into the atmosphere, while drier, cooler air at the top of the atmosphere becomes the exhaust gas of the heat engine.
