Severe weather event: Cyclone Gabrielle update

In this severe and widespread event, boards, principals, early learning services, and tertiary education providers are in the best position to decide when it is safe for on-site teaching and learning.

Bulletins | Ngā Pānui

The Bulletins website has the updates that have been sent to schools and early learning services with all the information we currently know. 

Ministry of Education bulletins for the education sector(external link)

Storm damage reporting information for schools and kura

Schools should contact their Emergency Response Coordinators in the first instance to report any damage. The Emergency Response Coordinator will arrange to come on site and assess the damage as soon as they can.

Schools may also self-assess the damage if it’s not significant. Every school has a Ministry-appointed Property Advisor. Schools are asked to contact their Property Advisor if they have damage. Property staff will also contact any school they haven’t heard from. Property staff will visit affected schools, prioritising those with the most damage.

Checklist for schools to check their property after a major incident

School closure update, Friday 17 February

The following schools, kura and early learning services in the affected regions have advised us they are closed today due to the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle.

The decision to close remains that of the school Boards and centre managers/owners of early learning services.

Schools, kura and ECE are not required to tell us if they are closed so the available information is not definitive and cannot be reported as such. The information is updated as comes to hand.

The best information will come from schools, kura and early learning services themselves and parents and whānau are advised to check their school’s website or Facebook page or if able, contact them directly for the latest information.

Our Te Mahau (regional) offices, that are able to, are communicating with their schools to see what support we can provide. We will continue to assist for as long as needed.  

Northland Te Tai Tokerau

Of the 152 schools and kura in the region, 93 have advised us they are closed today, impacting 12,603 students. 13 of the 221 early learning services advised they are closed today.

Auckland Tamaki Makaurau

Of the 571 schools and kura in the region, five advised us they are closed today, impacting 1233 students. 15 of the 1550 early learning services advised they are closed.

Waikato

Of Waikato’s 280 schools, 12 have advised us they are closed today, impacting 2190 students. 11 of Waikato’s 491 early learning services advised they are closed today.

Bay of Plenty and Waiariki

Of the 192 schools in Bay of Plenty and Waiariki, 1 advised us it is closed today, impacting 24 students. 15 of the 363 early learning services advised they are closed today.

Hawke's Bay, Tairāwhiti

As a result of impacted communications, we don’t have information from the region. Unless parents and caregivers hear otherwise they should assume their school, kura or early learning service is closed.

Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatū 

Two of the 238 schools are closed, affecting 27 students. None of the 362 early learning services have advised us they are closed.

Wellington and Martinborough

Of the 287 schools and kura 3 are closed, affecting 352 students. One early learning services has advised it is closed.

Available information on specific school and early learning service closures

Schools, kura and ECE are not required to tell us if they are closed so the available information is not definitive and cannot be reported as such. The information is updated as comes to hand.

Northland and Auckland  

Waikato 

Bay of Plenty/Waiariki 

Hawke’s Bay/Tairāwhiti

As a result of impacted communications, we don’t have information from the region. Most schools/kura and early learning services remain closed.

Taranaki/Whanganui/Manawatū

Wellington and Marlborough 

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) updates

Detailed information can be found on the NEMA website(external link)

Last reviewed: 17 February 2023 Has this been useful? Give us your feedback