Cyclone Vaianu: Important information

You may be aware that Cyclone Vaianu will be moving over Auckland, Northland, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay and Waikato this weekend.

As is usual with events like this, it's difficult to predict the areas most likely to suffer damage. For more information on the anticipated weather conditions, please visit the MetService website.

If you require assistance from us for an insurance or Natural Hazards Cover (NHCover) claim, we have a team standing by to help — you can call us on 0800 800 627.

Safety and claims advice

• Put the safety of you and your whānau first and heed the advice of your local authorities. Follow the instructions of your local Civil Defence and emergency service providers. 
• If the heavy rain and severe gales haven't hit your area yet but might, there are some safety precautions you can take if safe to do so. Stock up on enough supplies, have a plan to evacuate just in case, and secure or put away outdoor items which could fly away.
• Try to make buildings safe and weatherproof if safe, like clearing your guttering and drains as well as removing any loose branches on your property.
• If you can’t stay in your home, please contact us. For those with home or contents insurance, including renters, temporary accommodation benefits may be available.
• Get essential services such as water, electricity, gas and sewerage repaired if damaged and keep copies of any invoices. 
• Keep any damaged items that don’t pose a health and safety risk. 
• Do what’s necessary to make your home safe and sanitary. When cleaning, wear a mask, gloves and overalls to minimise exposure to materials that could be possibly hazardous. 
• Do not remove hard floor coverings, wall linings or structural elements of a property or disturb any materials which might contain hazardous substances. Please talk to us if this is required, as only suitably qualified professionals should undertake this work.

Need to lodge a claim? 

To file a claim for damages related to this event, please follow the steps below. 

1. Document the damage 

• Take photos and videos of the damage to your property to help speed up the assessments and claims process. Refer to our Claims Photo Guide. 

• Make a list of any perishables you must dispose of.  

• Photograph, remove and discard any water or mud-damaged goods that pose a health risk, such as saturated carpets and soft furnishings. If you choose to remove floor coverings to assist drying, please take photos and keep a sample to make it easier for replacement later. 

2. Gather necessary documentation

This may include your policy number, proof of ownership, and any relevant receipts. 

3. Contact our Claims team

Please call us on 0800 800 627 and select option 1, particularly if your claim is urgent or you need help arranging emergency repairs.  

For non-urgent claims, please complete an online claim form. Our team will be triaging the claims to ensure we prioritise the most urgent needs, we’d appreciate your understanding as we work on this.

We’re here to help

We understand that this may be a stressful time for you, and we are committed to providing you with the support and assistance you need. If you need to make a claim, a Claims Adviser will guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.