Weather damage, power outages shut schools around the country

Students may have an unexpected holiday today, with power cuts and wind damage closing schools in the upper North Island.

Widespread power outages have affected schools from South Auckland to the North Shore after a night of wild weather, and at least five schools in Coromandel are closed.

School has been cancelled at Mangere Bridge Primary, Mangere College and Three Kings School.

Pt Chevalier Primary was initially reported to be closed due to a power outage but is in fact open. Parents have been told the school is managing storm damage but they can still send their kids to school if they wish.

Power is also out at Papatoetoe North School, according to social media posts. Parents have reportedly been texted and told to wait to see if the school will open later in the day.

The storm has also closed Glenbrook School and Pukekohe East School, which has no power or water.

Power is out at Papatoetoe Intermediate, but the school is still reportedly open.

Carmel College on the North Shore is closed because of a power cut, as is Westlake Girls High School. Kelston Boys' High School and Lynfield College are closed because of power cuts and transport disruption.

Dairy Flat School in rural north Auckland is also closed by a power cut.

Vector's power outage map shows more than 30 areas without power across the city, affecting thousands of customers.

Five schools are closed in Thames-Coromandel: Tairua School, Whenuakite School, Matatoki School, Whenuakite Country Kids and Hikuai School are all shut today, the council said.

Yesterday 19 schools and four ECEs closed as a result of severe weather, the Ministry of Education said.

"The best information will come from schools and early learning services themselves as they make decisions. We advise parents to check their school or early childhood service websites or Facebook pages or contact them directly.

"The decision to close remains that of the Board of Trustees for schools and centre managers/owners for early learning services."

CONFIRMED SCHOOL CLOSURES

AUCKLAND
Ardmore School
Henderson Valley School
Kowhai Intermediate School
Northcote Primary School
St Leonards School
Samoa Moni
Kelston Boys High School
Waioneke School
Sunnyvale School
Riverhead School
St Josephs Orakei
Mangere Bridge Primary
Pukekohe East School
Carmel College
Westlake Girls' High School
Mangere College
Dairy Flat School
Glenbrook School
Three Kings School
Lynfield College
Royal Oak Primary
Rutherford College
Orakei School

Pt Chevalier School is OPEN.

TARANAKI
Orautoha School
Rahotu School
Whatawhata School

WAIKATO
Matatoki School
Hikuai School
Tairua School
Whenuakite School

EARLY LEARNING CENTRES
AUCKLAND
Le Malelega a le toelau
Little Hands Childcare
Learning Steps Child Care Centre Gt North Road
New Shoots Early Child Care, Westgate
Iona Child Care, Swanson
Loving Care Kindergarten
Kidz Unlimited Learning Centre, Mt Albert

TARANAKI
Seedlings Nature Kindergarten
Maxwell
Merrilands
Waiouru

WAIKATO
Magnolia Tree
Creative Kids
Whenuakite Country Kids
Pauanui Preschool