An Air New Zealand plane at Wellington Airport. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
An intense front, embedded in a strong and moist northwesterly flow, is moving north over central New Zealand on Sunday evening.
It has brought heavy rain and severe northwest gales to many South Island areas as well as the lower North island.
In Wellington, strong winds have forced many flights to be diverted or cancelled.
Air New Zealand passengers were warned disruptions were likely, beginning around 4pm.
Have you felt the gusts today?
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) December 8, 2024
In Wellington, sustained winds are currently 60 km/h, making for a blustery evening in the capital.
The strongest gust recorded today so far was at our high-elevation station at Mt Potts (2128m), with a whopping 163 km/h this afternoon! pic.twitter.com/b240Bt881G
Those on smaller aircraft had been particularly affected, and while a few planes had managed to land in Wellington, many had been cancelled or diverted, a spokesperson said.
Air New Zealand said passengers who did not choose to reschedule earlier on Sunday would be rebooked on alternative flights on Monday.
Green Party justice spokesperson Tamatha Paul was due to fly from Wellington to Hamilton, but her flight was canned due to the wind.
"Tāwhirimātea said no, so I went home," she said.
"Hopefully everything works out tomorrow morning."
MetService had issued a strong wind warning for Wellington and Wairarapa south of Masterton, the Marlborough Sounds, Kaikoura ranges and Kaikoura coast as well as the Canterbury High Country from 9pm to Monday morning.
Northwest gale gusting up to 150km/h was possible in exposed places, which could cause damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures, the forecaster said.
Driving may also be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
MetService had also issued a heavy rain warning for Mount Taranaki, the Tararua Range as well as the Grey and Buller Districts from 9pm through to Monday morning, with up to 140 mm of rain possible. It warned surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions are possible.
A heavy rain watch was in place for the Bay of Plenty ranges east of Opotiki, and a strong wind watch for Wairarapa including the Tararua District from about Masterton northwards and Hawke's Bay south of Hastings too.
MetService meteorologist Alex Holden said some upper suburbs of Wellington had seen wind gusts of up to 115 km/h on Sunday evening.
He said in the Canterbury High Country, some of the most exposed places at the top of the ranges had seen gusts of more than 180 km/h.
"It's nothing that those places in the Canterbury High Country haven't seen before, but those don't roll around particularly often," Holden said.
Firefighters have been battling strong winds to tackle a large blaze in the Canterbury High Country.
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