Strong winds caused a temporary halt to flights in and out of Wellington, leading to several hours of disruption before operations resumed under turbulent conditions. The storm also forced the suspension of passenger ferry services.
Tragically, a man lost his life due to injuries sustained at Mount Victoria, a well-known hiking area in the heart of the city.
Authorities are advising residents to avoid city parks and reserves, citing the risk posed by falling trees.
In a dramatic incident captured on a motorist’s dashcam Tuesday morning, a pedestrian was knocked off balance by a gust of wind and nearly struck by oncoming traffic as they stumbled into the street.
The MetService weather agency reported winds reaching speeds of up to 120 km/h in the Kelburn area.
While Wellington is famed for its blustery conditions, these gusts were exceptionally strong, even by the city’s usual stormy standards.
About 10,000 properties were without electricity in the neighbouring rural region of Wairarapa, according to figures from the local lines company. Schools and businesses in the area closed for the day.
Throughout Tuesday the lower North Island, where Wellington is located, and most of the South Island were under wind or rain warnings. In Christchurch on the South Island, gales disrupted flights on Tuesday afternoon.
Some state highways on both islands were closed due to flooding and landslides.
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In Hawkes Bay on the North Island, the wind toppled a truck, injuring one person and closing the road, authorities said.
New Zealand’s location in the southern latitudes and the mountain ranges that run the length of the country can produce wild weather throughout the year.
MetService said the tempest is due to ease on Wednesday before a second, more severe, weather system is expected to hit on Thursday.
The south eastern parts of Australia are also bracing for an intense weather system but the two are not related.
Destructive winds are forecast to hit parts of South Australia, Victoria and NSW today.
This is being caused by a low-pressure system coupled with a cold front, moving across from the west, which has already lashed SA with strong winds as it passed over the state.
Strong winds were expected to intensify overnight and move into eastern parts of Victoria and NSW today.
Severe weather warnings were in place across SA, Victoria and NSW, with wind gusts reaching 90km/h to 110km/h expected in some areas overnight.
