Strong winds are battering the North and upper South Islands, cancelling ferries and flights, closing highways and cutting power to homes.
Heavy swell warnings are in effect in Wellington and Wairarapa today.
A heavy rain watch would begin tonight in the Gisborne and Wairoa District.
Northland was already under a strong wind watch, set to end at 6pm.
Outages are affecting the Far North, with about 1000 Top Energy customers without power.
A spokesperson from the power company said strong winds have caused trees to come down on power lines.
Most of the outages were in Te Kao in Northland, as well as surrounding suburbs and town. The spokesperson said crews were trying to fix this, hopefully by mid-afternoon.
MetService meteorologist John Law said Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds would get the strongest winds.
These areas could see damage to trees and powerlines, with extra danger on roads particularly for high-side vehicles and motorcycles.
Gusts in Wellington could reach as much as 130 km/h in exposed areas like the South Coast.
"I think even by Wellington's standards, it will be a windy story."
The swell in Wellington was not expected to be as bad as it was earlier this month, when 11-metre-high waves hit the coast.
The forecaster said waves rising to six metres could be expected early tomorrow morning, with waves peaking to near seven metres later on.
The public should take extra care around the coast and rough seas, he said.
Transport disrupted
Cook Strait ferries Interislander and Bluebridge have cancelled some sailings today and tomorrow.
Wellington's East-by-West ferry cancelled two sailings today.
Bluebridge has also cancelled a sailing on Saturday.
A scheduled flight from and to the Chatham Islands from Wellington has also been cancelled.
In Taranaki, State Highway 3 along the Awakino Gorge is closed due to fresh rockfalls and slips overnight.
The gorge near New Plymouth is prone to slips and closures during bad weather.
This story was first published on rnz.co.nz |  |