The worst of the wild weather appears to be over for the capital, following a brief but powerful storm this afternoon.
But multiple roads were blocked in Hutt Central after extensive damage, with multiple reports of trees down over roads, glass across roads, and extensive damage to roofs, windows and cars, police said. People are advised to avoid the area.
More than 2000 properties were without power in the Wellington region, lines companies Electra and Wellington Electricity announced.
National MP for Hutt South Chris Bishop's office has been damaged by the storm.
Bishop said on social media: “Really concerned to hear about the tornado in the Hutt today, and particularly worried about the two kids who have been injured - I hope they recover quickly. It sounds like there’s going to be a big cleanup job. One of the best things about the Hutt is seeing people step up to help each other, and I know today’s storm will be another great example of that.”
All flights through Wellington Airport were stopped while two international flights were diverted to Christchurch and Auckland. The airport said travellers should check with their airlines for flight statuses. Flights resumed shortly after 4pm.
A Salvation Army family store in Hutt City has had the windows blown out the front of the shop, as did a New World supermarket. Windows were blown out of a bus in Lower Hutt, but no one was hurt.
Additionally, two people are in hospital, one in a serious condition, after suffering injuries as the storm hit Wellington.
New Zealand Herald reporters based in the capital said the clear, sunny day quickly turned to darkness about 3pm as the storm rolled in.
One said her street had turned into “a river”, describing the sudden downpours as “insane”.
Hailstones measured up to 12mm, MetService said, with photographs showing streets and yards blanketed.
At one stage eyewitnesses described a "tornado" ripping through Lower Hutt, but MetService said it was more likely just extremely strong winds.
Tornadoes were difficult to spot on radars, and MetService relied on pictures of the "funnel cloud" to officially categorise them, meteorologist John Law said.
The storm front hit the region after battering Canterbury earlier this morning, and is moving up the east coast of the country.
In Christchurch, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said heavy rain had flooded houses in the suburbs of Belfast and Middleton.
Several flights were cancelled and delayed at Christchurch Airport, where MetService said sensors detected 2mm of rain falling in just one minute.
Airways New Zealand said lightning strikes affected some of the "critical infrastructure".
An airport spokesperson said lightning had affected airfield lighting and navigation systems, although the airport stayed open.
A severe thunderstorm warning earlier in the afternoon was later downgraded. By 5.45pm, the watch region had been reduced to just Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and Tararua until at least 9pm.
- additional reporting NZ Herald
