A powerful storm system has swept across New Zealand, bringing destructive winds of up to 140 km/h, heavy rain, and heightened fire danger to the lower North and South Islands. Wellington, Marlborough, and the Kaikōura coast have faced the strongest winds, with red wind warnings in place and several homes lost to fires near Kaikōura.
Canterbury has declared a local state of emergency as high winds cause damage, power outages, and travel disruptions across the region.
Authorities warn another, possibly more intense, system is expected later this week and urge residents to stay indoors, secure property, and monitor MetService updates.
