Cyclone Tam formed between New Caledonia and New Zealand as a tropical low. It quickly intensified into a Category 1 tropical cyclone as it moved southeast towards New Zealand’s North Island. While the center of the storm remained offshore to the west of Cape Reinga, its outer bands brought significant impacts to the upper North Island. The storm tracked generally southwards, transitioning into an ex-tropical cyclone as it moved over and past the North Island, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and hazardous coastal conditions to regions including Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, and Bay of Plenty before moving further south.
Metservice was forecasting 140km wind gusts up north, so naturally, I had to go check it out. The drive itself was a mission – proper horizontal rain and roads that felt like they were trying to throw me off. Eventually, I made it as far as Henderson Bay, which is basically just sand and wild ocean. I managed to find a guesthouse to ride out the storm. It wasn’t long before the wind really started to pick up, howling like crazy. I took a quick drive south to Pukenui to grab some footage while there was still a bit of light. But as dusk settled in, it felt like the smart move was to head back to the guesthouse and batten down the hatches for what felt like it was going to be an absolutely wild night.
Around seven that evening, the storm really went next level. Right outside the guesthouse stood these massive gum trees, and you could hear branches snapping off. Honestly, I was half-expecting the whole tree to come down at any second. The wind was just screaming, and the whole building was groaning and creaking with every gust. No way I was even thinking about getting back in the car. It was way too gnarly out there.
The lights flickered and died just after eight, and then, to top it off, the cell network vanished too.
At first light the next day I hit SH1 to survey the damage. Honestly, it wasn’t the total carnage I’d pictured after the night before. There were trees down here and there, a few blocking parts of the road, but nothing too major. A tree had also come down on top of the power lines.
I decided to head south, but the Waihou River had other ideas. The incoming tide had sent it surging over the banks, turning the whole area into a lake. No way the road was passable. Even the big rigs were struggling to get through. A few smaller cars tried their luck – instant regret as they conked out right in the middle. We were told it could be a few hours wait, and a lot of us just hoped the water would recede. But it didn’t. Then word came through that SH10 was blocked up at Kaeo too. So, with no other options, I had to backtrack all the way to Kaitaia and grab a room for the night at some local motel.
Good news by morning – the water had finally backed off, and I could actually make a run for home.
