Strong winds have strewn debris on roads in many parts of the central South Island and lower North Island.
Gales have knocked trees onto power-lines which are partially blocking State Highway 1 and 79 in Canterbury area in several places.
Greg Wilkinson from Peel Forest in South Canterbury, inland of Timaru, told Morning Report he was doing okay making tea off a camping fire
"We're back to the pioneering spirit in a way."
Darfield High School about 45 minutes west of Christchurch was closed because of debris on the road making it unsafe to travel.
Further north police said a truck and trailer was blown over on State Highway 2 north of Masterton, blocking the Southbound lane.
