Flights cancelled in Wellington, Taranaki driver injured by fallen tree
Wind gusts over 150km/h have been recorded overnight as strong southerly gales batter the lower North Island, cancelling flights in and out of the capital and sparking widespread power outages across Taranaki.
The low pressure system has brought snow and ice to the South Island, with parts of major state highways closed and vehicles trapped at Arthur's Pass for several hours this morning.
MetService issued heavy rain watches and warnings, alongside strong wind warnings for parts of the country as the system moved across the motu.
More than 6300 people were without power in Taranaki, according to Powerco, with downed trees knocking down power lines and injuring a driver in New Plymouth this morning.
Fire and Emergency NZ said it was called to Carrington Rd, between Fernbrook Dr and Atkinson Rd, at 5.19am after a tree fell on top of a truck.
"The driver was trapped," a FENZ spokesperson said, adding that they were freed by firefighters.
Hato Hone St John said one person was transported to Taranaki Base Hospital in a serious condition.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews in New Plymouth and Wellington attended 78 weather-related incidents between 6pm and around 9.30am.
"The incidents included trees and power lines blown down, and roofs lifting. Crews continue today to respond to weather related incidents in the area this morning."
Due to heavy rain, the short outfall pipe at Moa Point in Wellington was discharging untreated wastewater into Tarakena Bay, and was likely to be travelling around the coastline.
"Signs are in place along the coastline to alert water users of areas which may be impacted by this event," Wellington Water said.
More than 2500 properties were without power in the region as of 1pm Friday, according to Wellington Electricity.
In west Auckland, a tree from a reserve crashed onto a home while residents were inside, causing significant structural damage.
Flight disruptions in Wellington
Wellington Airport had seen more than 60 flight cancellations due to severe weather as of this morning.
"This is likely to increase as the forecast is not good for the rest of the day," a spokesperson said.
Several Air NZ and Jetstar services were affected.
"Strong winds are impacting Wellington this morning, with gusts exceeding 50 knots. As a result, we have cancelled a number of domestic flights in and out of Wellington," Air NZ chief operations officer Kate Boyer said.
A spokesperson for Jetstar confirmed several flights in and out of Wellington had been cancelled due to strong winds.
"We will be running additional services tomorrow to help get customers where they need to be," it said.
Vehicles stuck on Canterbury roads after snow, ice
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said State Highway 73 between Christchurch and the West Coast had since reopened, after a number of vehicles became trapped this morning due to snow and ice.
State Highway 73 between Springfield and Arthur’s Pass Village was closed at around 8am this morning but reopened shortly before 11am.
"Road users are urged to take extra care travelling this route," an NZTA spokesperson said.
State Highway 8 between Lake Tekapo and Twizel remained closed, with a detour route available via State Highways 1, 82 and 83.
Multiple area warnings were also in place across other central South Island state highways due to the ice risk and winter driving conditions, NZTA said.
"People are urged to take extra care if travelling on these inland roads."
Meanwhile, State Highway 6/Taramakau Highway north of Kumara Junction on the West Coast is under traffic management following a crash that earlier closed the road.
Road users were advised to take extra care when travelling along this route, and to follow directions provided at the site.
'A really messy setup' - MetService
MetService meteorologist Heather Keats said the strong winds and heavy rain was due to a low pressure system sitting to the northeast of the country.
"It's slow, it's spinning away. There's a whole bunch of fronts, essentially it's just a really messy setup," she told Breakfast.
Over the past few days of severe gales and downpours, Keats said there was also around 300 lightning strikes recorded across the country.
"I had a look through the observations overnight. Mount Kaukau, quite an elevated and exposed spot for Wellington, but overnight they had gusts of over 150km an hour."
"We've had downpours coming through, so Gisborne recording sort of 35mm of rain in an hour, and also those large swells too, again in Wellington Harbour, Baring Head has had waves of over 8m, so a lot going on," she said.
Orange heavy rain warnings were in effect for the Tararua Range, Wairarapa south of Masterton, and Wellington excluding Porirua until 6am Saturday.
Strong wind warnings were also issued for Taranaki, Wellington, and Marlborough east of Seddon including the Sounds.
The forecaster warned of severe gale south to southeasterlies with damaging gusts of 130 km/h in exposed places, especially north of Taranaki Maunga.
Current watches and warnings list
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
The Tararua Range, Wairarapa south of Masterton, and Wellington excluding Porirua – 21hrs from 9am today to 6am Saturday.
Strong Wind Warning – Orange
Taranaki – 10hrs from 9am today to 7pm today.
Wellington, also Marlborough east of Seddon including the Sounds – 10hrs from 9am today to 7pm today.
Strong Wind Watch
Whanganui – 8hrs from 9am today to 5pm today.
Horowhenua and Kapiti Coast – 7hrs from 9am today to 4pm today.
Road Snowfall Warning
Lewis Pass (SH7) – 10hrs from 11am today to 9pm today.
Heavy Swell Warning
Wellington – Cape Terawhiti to Turakirae Head – 21hrs from 3am today to midnight today.
Wairarapa – Turakirae Head to Flat Point – 9hrs from midday today to 9pm today.