Much of Auckland will be closed on Monday at Cyclone Gabrielle storms through the motu.
The Prime Minister said earlier today it is up to individuals to decide if they work from home tomorrow as Cyclone Gabrielle moves closer to New Zealand.
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.
Chris Hipkins said people should continue to minimise non-essential travel as the country heads into the working week.
"I think the message at the moment is minimise the traffic on the roads as much as possible.
"People can make their own decisions about that, but if they're in a position to work from home, yes, they can do that."
Air New Zealand is cancelling all flights, to, from or through Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and Taupō until midday on Tuesday.
The InterCity bus network has cancelled three day-time services today and overnight services between Auckland and Wellington tonight and tomorrow as a precaution.
While the Ministry of Education hasn't officially ordered schools to close, dozens of schools in Auckland will be closed Monday and some Tuesday as well.
The list below confirmed by RNZ so far is by no means a complete list - please check with your local school to confirm their status before Monday morning.
Avondale College - Closed Monday / Tuesday
Blockhouse Bay Intermediate - Closed Monday/Tuesday
Bruce McClaren Intermediate School - Closed Monday
Freyberg Community School - Closed Monday / Tuesday
Glen Eden Intermediate School - Closed Monday / Tuesday
Green Bay High School - Closed Monday / Tuesday
Henderson North School - Closed Monday / Tuesday
Henderson High School - Closed Monday
Henderson Primary - Closed Monday / Tuesday
Hobsonville Point Secondary School - Closed Monday
Kelston Boys High School - Closed Monday/ Tuesday
Kelston Intermediate - Closed Monday / Tuesday
Kelston Girls College - Closed Monday / Tuesday, online learning Wednesday
Kohwhai Intermediate - Closed Monday
Laingholm Primary School - Closed Monday
Marist College - Closed Monday
Massey University - Closed Monday
Matipo Primary School - Closed Monday
Middle School West Auckland - Closed Monday
Mount Roskill Grammar - Closed Monday, Tuesday
Newmarket Primary - Closed Monday / Tuesday
Peninsula Primary School - Closed Monday
Red Beach School - Closed Monday / Tuesday
Rutherford College - Closed Monday
St. Mary's College - Closed Monday
St. Peters College - Closed Monday / Tuesday
Sunnyvale School - Closed Monday
Swanson School - Closed Monday / Tuesday
Te Atatū Intermediate - Closed Monday
Titirangi Primary School - Closed Monday
Waitakere College - Closed Monday / Tuesday
Western Heights School - Closed Monday
Westlake Girls High School - Closed Monday / Tuesday
Woodlands Park School - Closed Monday
The University of Auckland will also be moving to online exams Monday and Tuesday.
Jury trials in Auckland and Whangārei are being postponed until Wednesday.
Among the other closures are Auckland Zoo, which announced it is closing Sunday afternoon until further notice.
Several Auckland libraries are being closed or used as emergency centres, so please check their website for information.
Kerbside waste collection has also been cancelled for Monday and Tuesday in Auckland.
Multiple Countdown stores are also closing early tonight. Countdown Waitangi, Warkworth, Tikipunga, Regent, Whangārei, Whitianga, Gisborne, Katikati, Kaihohe and Kerikeri are all closing between 7 and 8pm. Countdown Paihia Central has already closed early.
