Weather Auckland Cyclone Tam: Facts and Impact

Aucklanders might have thought the worst of the cyclone season was behind them after Gabrielle, but April 2025 brought a fresh test: Cyclone Tam. Over 72 hours, the storm dumped record rain on the city, cut power to thousands, and stranded entire communities on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Peak wind gusts (Auckland): 130 km/h (recorded during Cyclone Gabrielle) ·
Flooding duration (Auckland region): 72 hours (Cyclone Tam, April 2025) ·
Households without power (peak): 12,000 (Coromandel, April 2025) ·
Cyclones making landfall in NZ (2020–2025): 5 (including Tam, Gabrielle, Vaianu) ·
Red warnings issued (April 2025): 4 (Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty)

Six events, one pattern: successive cyclones are testing the North Island’s resilience. Here are the key facts at a glance.

The table below shows the core data points that define this storm season.

Has cyclone Tam hit Auckland?

Confirmed landfall and timeline

• Cyclone Tam made landfall near Auckland on April 16, 2025, according to NIWA (national climate research institute).
• MetService issued weather warnings for Northland, Auckland, and Aotea/Great Barrier Island as the system approached, as reported by Pacific Media Network (community news).

Auckland impact summary

• The storm brought gale-force winds and torrential rain to the city, with an orange strong wind warning in place until midnight Thursday, April 17, 2025 (RNZ (public broadcaster)).
• An orange heavy rain watch was active through to early Friday morning, April 18, 2025 (same source).

The implication: Auckland’s emergency services had to activate flood response protocols, but the city’s infrastructure held without a state of emergency.

What impact did cyclone Tam have on Auckland?

Flooding and road closures

• Widespread flooding isolated Coromandel towns, with the Thames-Coromandel District Council warning of rapidly rising streams and rivers (Thames-Coromandel District Council (local council)).
• The Coromandel Peninsula expected 150–250 mm of rain over 36 hours, from midnight Wednesday to noon Friday (same source).
• Department of Conservation closed Mautohe Cathedral Cove from 5 pm on April 16 until at least midday Saturday, April 19, 2025 (Department of Conservation (DOC) (government agency)).

Power outages and emergency response

• Over 12,000 homes lost power, with Coromandel worst hit (1News (NZ news outlet)).
• Auckland’s emergency services activated flood response, and a MetService forecaster said damaging gusts of 140 km/h were possible overnight in exposed places (same source).

The pattern: each successive cyclone exposes weaknesses in the same areas – Coromandel road access, coastal power lines, and urban drainage.

When did cyclone Tam hit NZ?

Formation and path

• Cyclone Tam formed near Vanuatu on April 14, 2025, as a Category 1 storm. The NIWA (national climate research institute) summary confirms Tam affected the North Island.
• It tracked southeast, transitioning into an ex-tropical low before reaching NZ.

Landfall dates key events

• Made landfall on the North Island on April 16, 2025.
• Ex-tropical low persisted until April 19, 2025, bringing continued rain to the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty.

The catch: the storm’s slow movement meant rainfall accumulations were higher than forecast, overwhelming drainage systems.

Is Auckland safe from Cyclone Vaianu?

Current cyclone Vaianu status

• Cyclone Vaianu made landfall on the North Island on May 2, 2025, as a Category 2 storm.
• MetService issued red warnings for Northland and Coromandel, but Auckland received only an orange heavy rain warning (RNZ (public broadcaster)).

Auckland risk zone assessment

• Auckland Council advised residents to prepare for heavy rain and wind, but no major damage was reported.
• Severest impacts were expected in Northland and Coromandel Peninsula (1News (NZ news outlet)).

The trade-off: red warnings are reserved for life-threatening conditions, but orange warnings still mean significant disruption.

What was the worst cyclone to ever hit New Zealand?

Cyclone Giselle (1968) – the benchmark

• Cyclone Giselle caused the Wahine ship disaster, killing 51 people (NIWA (national climate research institute)).
• It remains the deadliest weather event in NZ history.

Cyclone Gabrielle (2023) – the most destructive

• Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 caused $9.5 billion in damages, making it the costliest cyclone in NZ history (NIWA (national climate research institute)).
• Gabrielle was a Category 3 storm, bringing extreme flooding to Auckland and a state of emergency.

The implication: Tam and Vaianu are smaller storms, but they come on the heels of Gabrielle’s devastation, raising questions about cumulative risk.

Where will Cyclone Vaianu hit the worst?

Northland and Coromandel highest risk

• MetService issued red warnings for Northland and Coromandel (RNZ (public broadcaster)).
• Thames-Coromandel District Council repeated the warning for heavy rain and strong winds (Thames-Coromandel District Council (local council)).

Auckland likely to experience severe rain bands

• Auckland was placed under an orange heavy rain warning, with severe rain bands possible.

The pattern: the Coromandel Peninsula is a recurring hotspot, with its mountainous terrain enhancing rainfall.

What cyclone just hit New Zealand?

Cyclone Vaianu (most recent)

• Cyclone Vaianu made landfall on May 2, 2025, as a Category 2 storm.

Comparison with Cyclone Tam

• Both cyclones struck the North Island within three weeks (Tam on April 16, Vaianu on May 2).
• Vaianu was weaker than Tam, but still triggered red warnings for Northland and Coromandel.

For Aucklanders, the implication is clear: the cyclone season is not over, and preparation for the next storm should start now.

For Aucklanders, the choice is clear: treat every orange warning as a dress rehearsal for a red. With cyclone frequency increasing, the city’s infrastructure and emergency services face a test that won’t wait. For Coromandel residents, the isolation risk remains – and the next storm could be worse.