Tropical Cyclone Tam is continuing to sweep through Te Tai Tokerau, with orange weather warnings still in place across the region.
The system is expected to be downgraded to an ex-tropical cyclone as it tracks west of Cape Reinga and weakens further into a storm.
Northland Mayor Moko Tepania is reassuring whānau that planned power outages are not a direct result of the storm.
“E rua anō ngā momo katinga hiko kua whakaritea e rātou mō tēnei rangi tonu nei, tētahi ka whai pānga atu ki Mitimiti, ki te raki o Hokianga, te hauraro o Hokianga, me tētahi atu ki Ōpononi, Ōmāpere.
“Kei pōhēhē mai te iwi ko ērā katinga hiko he pānga o tēnei huripari. Ehara kē. He mea i whakaritea kētia,” Tepania said.
It's a wet and windy Wednesday for the top of the North Island🌧💨 After a wet morning, the rain eases for a while in the afternoon and evening before returning tonight Winds gradually build in strength through the day before really ramping up later this afternoon Check out your forecast for today at http://bit.ly/metservicenz
Posted by MetService New Zealand on Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Weather Warnings Remain
MetService has issued heavy rain and wind warnings, with gusts of up to 140km/h expected and rainfall totals between 120 and 180mm in some areas.
In a recent update, MetService said strong winds are expected to ramp up across Northland and Auckland this evening, with potential impacts including damage to trees, structures, and powerlines, and travel disruption.
Hazards on Roads
Tepania has also raised concerns about road conditions in parts of the region, particularly around Mangamuka Gorge. While significant repairs have been made, he says not all areas are fully stabilised.
“Ko te whakatūpato ko ērā wāhi o te rori kahore i whakatikahia, kei horonuku mai.
“Engari i tēnei wā nei, e noho pūmau ana taua rori, e aroha mai ana a Maungataniwha ki a tātou i konei. Nōreira, i pai.”
Storm to Continue South
The remnants of Cyclone Tam are forecast to move further down the western coastline over the coming days and are expected to settle in Te Waipounamu later in the week.
In the meantime, Tepania is urging Northlanders to check on one another and keep informed.
“Kia whai whakaaro koe ki ō hoa tata, e noho tata ana ki a koe, mēnā he kaumātua, he kuia.
“Mēnā e kore pea e whakawhiwhia nei i ngā pānui o te pukamata me ērā momo kōrero, tērā pea me haere ki te titiro atu ki a rātou ki te kite mēnā e pai ana, me te rahirahi kōrero atu i ngā kōrero o te wā ki a rātou.”
Winds are expected to build this afternoon and ramp up this evening from Cyclone Tam, especially over Northland and Auckland💨💨 🟠🟡Warnings and Watches are in place with possible impacts such as damage to trees, structures and powerlines, and possible travel disruptions Civil Defence Northland Auckland Emergency Management NZ Civil Defence NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - NorthlandNZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Auckland Northland Regional Council Auckland Council
Posted by MetService New Zealand on Tuesday, April 15, 2025
He also encourages everyone to stay up to date via official channels.
“Me titiro koe ki ngā kōrero o te wā, kei ngā whārangi pukamata o Te Rākau Whakamarumaru o Te Tai Tokerau, arā ko Civil Defense Northland tērā, o Waka Kotahi me ngā kōrero o ngā kapinga rori, o ngā huarahi matua.
“Me titiro hoki ki ngā kōrero kei ngā whārangi o ngā kaunihera.
“Nō reira, i mua i tō whiti taone, i tō haere ki hea atu rainei, tēnā, me titiro ki ērā momo taipitopito kōrero i te tuatahi, kia haumaru koe, kia haumaru hoki tō whānau.”
