Flights and ferries to Great Barrier Island have been cancelled or disrupted due to the severe weather brought on by ex-tropical Cyclone Tam, cutting off vital freight deliveries.
All Barrier Air flights were cancelled on Thursday morning, with only some services tentatively scheduled later in the day, weather permitting.
SeaLink confirmed that sailings between Auckland and both Tryphena and Port Fitzroy have been cancelled across multiple days.
Wednesday’s ferry to Port Fitzroy was called off entirely, as was Thursday’s sailing to Tryphena.
An additional sailing to Port Fitzroy is planned for Saturday 19 April, but that’s dependent on sea conditions.
Check ferry updates at sealink.co.nz and contact Barrier Air directly on 0800 900 600 or visit barrierair.kiwi for the latest flight information.
The storm, which is the remnants of Cyclone Tam, is delivering wind gusts of up to 120km/h in exposed areas, with swells forecast to reach 6 metres across the Hauraki Gulf.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand responded to more than 50 callouts on the mainland overnight, mostly for downed trees and powerlines.
Got storm photos or updates from your part of the island? Email editor@aoteagbi.news
Around 3500 homes in Northland lost electricity, and gale-force winds have triggered warnings for high bridges, roads, and ferry routes.
Pa Beach Café’s Rochelle Winger said the disruption is already hitting the island, with some of her team and most of her foodstuffs stranded on the mainland, unable to return until Sunday.
“The food situation is pretty dire,” she said. “We are managing to have options available each day but we will run out soon.”
“All our freight is stuck Auckland side,” she added. “The café is open for now and we are trying our best to keep you fed and fueled with coffee.” she said.
The timing of the storm landing squarely over the Easter weekend is complicating things for locals planning to travel to the mainland to see family, and bach owners and visitors who’d hoped to visit the island for the long weekend.
Some residents have reported minor damage to their properties, including roofing iron being blown off, while others said fallen debris on roads made it harder than usual to get to work.
