El Niño Info Hub

An El Niño weather pattern has been officially confirmed by Earth Sciences New Zealand for summer 2026/27 and has the potential to be one of the strongest on record.

Early indications suggest New Zealand could experience one of the hottest and driest summers in recent years.

For Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, potential impacts include reduced rainfall, increased wildfire risk, hotter-than-average temperatures, and stronger winds.

Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) has a coordinating role, with many aspects of the response to El Niño being led by partner agencies including Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Health New Zealand, and Watercare.

This Information Hub provides the latest advice and guidance, to help you prepare for the possible impacts of El Niño.

El Niño conditions may increase the risk of several weather-related hazards across Auckland, including drought, wildfire, strong winds, and heat-related impacts.

This section outlines the key hazards to be aware of, and directs you to trusted sources for the latest preparedness advice.

El Niño conditions can increase wildfire risk across Auckland. Strong westerly winds, combined with hot and dry weather, can make fires more likely to start and spread more quickly.

If you see smoke or fire and believe there is a risk to people or property, call 111 and ask for 'Fire’.

• We could see:

  • Increased wildfire risk across rural and urban fringe areas

  • Fires may spread faster and be more difficult to control during windy conditions

  • Fire season restrictions may begin earlier and remain in place for longer periods, affecting activities such as outdoor burning and land management

  • Smoke from fires can affect air quality and impact health, particularly for babies, older people, disabled people, and people with serious long-term health conditions

• Advice from:

  • Fire and Emergency New Zealand

• Further guidance:

  • Download our Wildfires Factsheet (pdf 208 KB) and Urban Fires Factsheet (pdf 585 KB)

  • Check Its Alright - Fire and Emergency

  • When Wildfire Threatens - Fire and Emergency

  • Fires, smoke and health - Health NZ

El Niño conditions can bring hotter-than-average temperatures to Auckland, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses and health impacts.

Extended periods of hot weather can affect people's health and wellbeing, particularly those who are more vulnerable to heat.

• We could see:

  • Increased risk of heat-related illnesses, including heat rash, heat cramps, sunburn, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke

  • Greater health risks for babies, older people, disabled people, and people with serious long-term health conditions

  • Higher temperatures may make outdoor activities more challenging and increase the risk of dehydration

  • Apartments and townhouses with little airflow can trap heat, and outages could leave upper-floor residents without lift access

  • Some medicines can be affected by heat if not stored according to the instructions on the label

  • Increased demand for cool indoor spaces during periods of extreme heat

• Advice from:

  • Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora

• Further Guidance:

  • Visit the Metservice website or download their app

  • Health effects from heat - Health NZ 

Drought occurs when there is a prolonged period of low or no rainfall.

During El Niño conditions, reduced rainfall can increase the risk of drought, affecting water availability for households, businesses, rural properties, and the environment.

Currently (August 2026) water storage levels for Auckland are 94% full and almost 10% above the historical average for this time of year. 

• We could see:

  • Extended dry periods

  • Reduced water levels in rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs

  • Increased likelihood of water restrictions in urban areas to help conserve water supplies

  • Pressure on water supplies for rural properties, lifestyle blocks, and properties that rely on rainwater tanks

  • Impacts on livestock, crops, gardens, and rural land management

  • Reduced non-essential council services, such as sprinklers on sports fields, weed spraying, and mowing

  • Potential changes to the quality or appearance of drinking water during periods of low water availability

• Advice from:

  • Ministry for Primary Industries

  • Watercare

• Further Guidance:

  • Dealing with drought conditions - Ministry for Primary Industries

  • Community water sites and drinking water assessments - Auckland Council

  • Water restrictions - Watercare

El Niño conditions are often associated with stronger and more frequent westerly winds across New Zealand. Severe weather, including the chance of cyclones, is still possible during El Niño season.

In Auckland, severe weather can create hazardous conditions by damaging property, disrupting transport and utilities, and posing risks to public safety.

• We could see:

  • Damage to roofs, fences, signage, and other structures

  • Fallen trees and branches, which can damage homes, vehicles, and powerlines

  • Outdoor items, such as furniture and trampolines, becoming airborne and causing injury or damage

  • Power outages caused by damaged powerlines or fallen trees

  • Travel disruption, including road closures and impacts on key transport routes and infrastructure.

• Advice from:

  • Metservice

  • Auckland Emergency Management

• Further Guidance:

  • Visit the Metservice website or download their app

  • Severe Weather - Auckland Emergency Management

El Niño conditions can bring hotter, drier, and windier weather to Auckland, increasing the risk of hazards such as drought, wildfire, heat-related illness, and strong winds.

Now is the time to think about how these conditions could affect your household, work, property, and summer plans, and to make a plan that works for you and your whānau.

• Know your risk

  • Consider how El Niño conditions, including heat, drought, wildfire, and strong winds, could affect your household, work, and summer plans

• Make a plan

  • Your household readiness planning for El Niño is the same as for many other hazards

  • Talk to your whānau and friends about what you would do, where you would go, and what you would take if you needed to leave home quickly

  • Use our online template and create your household emergency plan

• Check your emergency supplies

  • Check you have essential supplies at home

  • Prepare a grab bag with important items in case you need to leave in a hurry

  • Remember you can use what you already have around the house, rather than buying everything new

• Plan ahead for hot and dry weather

  • If you or a member of your whānau are medically vulnerable, very young, or elderly, consider how you will keep cool if extreme temperatures occur

  • Think about how you'll stay cool during hot weather, and plan ahead if you rely on tank water

  • Store any medication appropriately and follow the instructions on the label

  • Visit Health New Zealand for more information

• Stay informed

  • Keep up to date with official channels as the summer unfolds, including MetService, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Health New Zealand, and, for rural communities, the Ministry for Primary Industries and Rural Support Trust.

  • To help avoid misinformation, only use and share information from trusted official sources

If you live on a rural property or lifestyle block, El Niño conditions can increase the challenges associated with managing water, animals, feed supplies, and wildfire risk.

Planning ahead can help reduce the impact of prolonged dry weather and ensure you, your whānau, and your animals are prepared.

• Make a drought plan

  • Include steps to ensure you have enough water for your household and animals

  • Plan for supplementary feed requirements and consider what actions you may need to take if dry conditions persist

• Manage your water supply

  • Monitor tank levels regularly, especially during the drier summer months

  • Know who your local water supplier is and book water deliveries early if needed

  • Remember that drier than normal conditions often result in long wait times for private operators to deliver water

• Look after your animals

  • Ensure animals have access to adequate shade and reliable drinking water

  • During very hot and dry conditions, animals may consume significantly more water than usual

  • Consider feed requirements early, as additional feed may become difficult to source during drought conditions

• Reduce wildfire risk

  • Clear away vegetation around homes, sheds, and other structures

  • Keep grass short and remove leaves, dead branches, and other fuel sources

  • Check fire restrictions before carrying out outdoor activities that could start a fire

• Further guidance:

  • Lifestyle Block Emergency Preparedness Handbook - AEM

  • Dealing with drought conditions - Ministry for Primary Industries

  • Adverse Events - Rural Support Trust

Keep up to date with official channels as the El Niño season unfolds.

To help avoid misinformation, only use and share information from trusted official sources like those below.

• Auckland Emergency Management

• Earth Sciences New Zealand

• Metservice

• Fire and Emergency New Zealand

• Health New Zealand

• Ministry for Primary Industries

• Rural Support Trust