More than 30,000 properties have lost power as wild winds bring trees and power lines down across much of the lower North Island.
A tree blown onto a car in the Wellington suburb of Brooklyn. Photo: RNZ / Pokere Paewai
Powerco said about 23,000 properties across its network have lost connections and in the Wellington region, about 10,000 have their connections cut.
Manawatū-Whanganui has been hit badly, and the region is under a state of emergency.
Meanwhile, evacuations are underway at homes on Lincoln Road in Masterton due to the threat of falling trees.
Wairarapa assistant commander Ian Wright said it had been a busy night with weather-related call outs, which continue, and that trees coming down are the biggest risk.
He says there are shallow rooted trees on Lincoln Road that are “very, very unstable, so both roads have been closed and the people have been evacuated”.
A flooded Waiwhetu stream in Lower Hutt. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Air NZ has cancelled flights in and out of several major centres, including the capital, citing strong winds.
“Safety is paramount and we are continuing to closely monitor conditions, with winds expected to reduce later this morning when we expect to resume services,” chief operating officer Alex Marren said.
Five districts – Manawatū, Rangitīkei, Tararua, Waipā and Ōtorohanga District – are in states of emergency.- RNZ