The state of emergency in Whakatāne has been lifted, but authorities warn the district is still facing a long road to recovery following the impact of Cyclone Vaianu.

The emergency declaration was officially ended on Monday afternoon, after severe weather conditions eased across the region.

Despite that milestone, officials say significant hazards remain, with communities across Ōhope, Matatā, Thornton and other low-lying coastal areas among the hardest hit.

The cyclone brought destructive winds of up to 150 kilometres per hour, combined with large swells and high tides that created dangerous coastal inundation risks and widespread disruption.

At the height of the emergency, around 270 properties were evacuated due to threats including storm surge, landslides and flooding.

More than 60 roads were impacted across the district, with fallen trees, debris and downed powerlines creating ongoing safety concerns. While many routes have since reopened, authorities are urging caution as clean-up continues and conditions remain unstable in some areas.

Power outages also affected more than 7,000 customers across the Eastern Bay of Plenty, with restoration efforts still underway in some communities.

Water infrastructure has also taken a hit, with some areas operating on generator power and boil water notices still in place as assessments continue.

The state of emergency was originally declared as Cyclone Vaianu approached, bringing warnings of severe winds, heavy rain and dangerous coastal conditions across parts of the North Island.

While the lifting of the emergency marks progress, recovery crews are now focused on damage assessments, restoring essential services and ensuring communities can safely return to normal.

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