The cyclone’s impact was due to be felt most severely in the Bay of Plenty region that was devastated by last week’s Cyclone Debbie.
New Zealand’s North Island has been shoring up its defences ahead of Cyclone Cook, which was expected to make landfall on Thursday evening.
The cyclone’s impact was due to be felt most severely in the Bay of Plenty region that was devastated by last week’s Cyclone Debbie.
The New Zealand MetService warned the approaching storm system was expected to be the worst seen in decades.
Heavy downpours, gale force winds of 150 kph and storm surges up to five metres were predicted to batter the east coast.
Auckland residents were advised to cancel their Easter holiday plans and stay at home until the storm passed.
Air New Zealand said it “expects to be unable to operate to and from a number of North Island airports as the afternoon progresses”.
The airline added, “Due to the significant nature of this weather event and the likely disruption to the national road network, Air New Zealand will not provide road transport options today for passengers whose travel is disrupted.”