Cyclone chaos and tsunami alerts: Pacific islands and NZ brace for dangerous storms

Communities across the Pacific are on high alert as two powerful cyclones intensify and New Zealand updates its tsunami warning system.

In Aotearoa, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has revised its tsunami alerts to provide clearer guidance.

From 8 April 2026, the single National Warning for Tsunami Threats to Land and Marine Areas has been replaced with two messages.

Regional events now trigger “immediate evacuation required” alerts, while distant events prompt “prepare to evacuate” notices.

Emergency Mobile Alerts (EMAs) have also been lengthened to give people more detailed instructions on what to do.

NEMA says the changes aim to reduce confusion and ensure residents take life-saving action during a tsunami, whether the danger comes from nearby or distant sources.

Meanwhile, the North Island faces another threat: Tropical Cyclone Vaianu. South of Fiji and currently a Category 3 storm with winds up to 130km/h, Vaianu could reach Aotearoa on Sunday.

MetService warns it has the potential to bring “damaging, potentially life-threatening winds, heavy rain and hazardous coastal conditions”.

Tropical Cyclone Vaianu’s projected track as it heads towards New Zealand’s North Island this weekend. Photo/Facebook/Fiji Meteorological Service

“The exact path and intensity of the storm as it heads towards us in New Zealand is yet to be determined,” meteorologist John Law said in a statement. “However, it does look like we will be seeing some impacts from this system during the weekend.”

The heaviest rain is expected across the north and east of the North Island, with risks of slips, falling trees, power outages, and isolated communities.

Tauranga City Council is advising residents in at-risk areas to evacuate if concerned about landslides.

At the same time, the Pacific faces a far more powerful storm: Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila, upgraded to Category 5.

The cyclone, with winds near the centre of 215km/h and gusts up to 295km/h, is currently over the Solomon Sea and is forecast to move towards Far North Queensland, Australia, over the weekend.

Police in Fiji’s Western Division help residents move to higher ground as Cyclone Vaianu threatens flooding. Photo/Facebook/Fiji Police

Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands have already felt Maila’s impact. In West New Britain province, flooding has cut roads and damaged bridges.

West New Britain governor Sasindran Muthuvel told media: “All the roads within Gloucester-Kandrian [district] are very badly affected.

"In fact, in our New Britain Highway, one bridge is almost like washed away, or it’s in a very bad shape.”

He added that other parts of the Niugini Islands region have suffered similar damage due to heavy rainfall and poor drainage.

Watch an update on the weather situation in Fiji below.

In the Solomon Islands, coastal villages in Choiseul and Western provinces have been hit by storm surges.

Provincial Police Commander Berry Pogesopa urged residents to seek higher ground, warning that whole villages, including schools and hospitals, have been affected.

As these storms intensify, authorities across the Pacific and New Zealand are urging residents to stay informed, prepare emergency plans, and take all alerts seriously.

With cyclones and tsunami threats converging, this weekend could prove dangerous for many communities.