There have been reports of power outages in Auckland while the Harbour Bridge has closed because of strong winds.
Authorities are urging people to stay safe and, if possible, stay home.
Official Government update – Cyclone Gabrielle
- Cyclone Gabrielle will impact much of the North Island with severe gales, heavy rain and very large waves forecast from today through to Tuesday.
- This is expected to be an unprecedented and dangerous weather event.
- MetService has issued severe weather warnings for many parts of the North Island.
- Keep up to date with MetService weather warnings and advice from your local Civil Defence Emergency Management Group.
- Adhere to all advice and instructions from authorities.
- Cyclone Gabrielle will also exacerbate the impacts for those communities recovering from recent floods
- Avoid travelling during severe weather, and check Waka Kotahi for road closures.
- Do what you can to prepare your household for the coming days.
- Information about preparing for storms can be found at getready.govt.nz.
- Call 111 if you feel in any danger.
- Stay safe. Don't take any chances.
Auckland is bracing for impact because the waves and wind already lashing the region are just a taste of what Cyclone Gabrielle is dishing up.
"Aucklanders will see a wet and windy Sunday - but this is the entrée," warned MetService meteorologist Georgina Griffiths.
"Please take this seriously, we do expect severe weather is on the way," Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is at the heart of the coordination effort for this storm, trying to make up for a lack of communication when his city flooded two weeks ago.
"This time we've been forewarned about the bad weather and cyclones are serious," he said.
At a media conference, he spoke from notes for less than a minute.
"I want you to know we are well-prepared and taking it very seriously."
Then he and his deputy walked away before taking questions - before returning at Newshub's request.
"I've been lifting rubbish in west Auckland with the Student Volunteer Army, I've been packing rubbish with the Navy groups and I've been back in the office double-checking everything," Brown explained.
"I think people at this time do want to know that central government and local government have a plan," said Minister for Auckland Michael Wood.
The Prime Minister checked out the transport part of that plan, which has included closing Auckland Harbour Bridge and urging people to avoid non-urgent travel until Tuesday.
Schools have been left to make their own decisions on whether to close - but Hipkins is urging caution.
"Consider issues around transportation and also around the fact that with severe weather it's not just a question of whether it's safe to be at school, it's a question of getting to and from school," he said.
Despite authorities' assurances that supermarkets are well-stocked, some stores were showing the opposite - bottled water had sold out while Bunnings Grey Lynn sold out of sandbags, dehumidifiers, torches and gas cookers.
Existing landslides sliding more and new landslides are a big risk - and there will likely be warning signs.
"New cracking, or movement of the ground, new cracks appearing inside the house, unusual sounds such as trees cracking, pavement sinking, or new debris on or around your house," said Rachel Kelleher, deputy controller for Auckland Emergency Management.
And staying well away from the ocean is advised.
"We don't often forecast a storm surge of half a metre for Auckland, in fact, we rarely do of half a metre for Auckland. We're just lucky the tides aren't overly large at the moment," said MetService meteorologist Georgina Griffiths.
So the message for Aucklanders - if you can, please stay home.
