Video has shown the moment that strong winds ripped the roof off a West Coast home as "severe" thunderstorms battered parts of the country today.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said that one fire truck responded to reports of the roof lifting off the residential property in Cobden, north of Greymouth, at 8.45am.
"They helped clean up and make things safe and have left it with the family," a spokesperson said.
Latasha Fensom, granddaughter of the home's 90-year-old resident, spoke to her nana after the incident.
“She was sort of just inside the house and was watching the weather get worse and worse, thinking ‘what’s going on in crazy Greymouth today?’ and then next thing she knows, she said there was a bang, and the roof is being torn off her place."
She crossed the road to the neighbours where she stayed until her family arrived.
Video has shown the moment that strong winds ripped the roof off a West Coast home as "severe" thunderstorms battered parts of the country today. (Source: 1News)
Fensom said she wasn't expecting the extent of the damage.
"There’s only really two bedrooms that are left covered – the [rest of the] roof is completely off the house."
She said that her nana is doing "very well".
"She's shaken as anyone would be, but I mean, she's okay and she's laughing and cracking jokes. I think that's the best you can do in a situation like this.
"My focus at the moment is making sure that everything gets dealt with – that’s happening now – and making sure Nana’s OK. She’s fine and the most I can do for now."
Grey District Mayor Tania Gibson told RNZ the council had also offered her accommodation if she needed it, but she had made arrangements to stay with family.
MetService meteorologist John Law said that it is not out of the question that it is tornadic activity, but quite likely to be "strong, straightline winds".
He said that warnings are in place from Waikato down to Wellington for a "very unsettled start to the week".
"That same band of storms is moving northwards."
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taupō, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Taihape, Whanganui, Manawatū, Tararua, Kapiti-Horowhenua, Wairarapa, Wellington, and Marlborough.
"Between 10am and 6 pm today, localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h may affect western areas of the North Island from Waikato to Wellington, also the Tararua District, Wairarapa, and Marlborough Sounds. These downpours could occur with or without thunderstorms," MetService said.
A number of other weather warnings and watches are in place for heavy rain and strong winds.
There have been several instances of weather-related disruption across the lower North and South Island today.
Eight flights using turboprop aircraft have been cancelled due to weather in Rotorua, New Plymouth and Hokitika, said an Air New Zealand spokesperson.
"There have been no cancellations due to weather on our domestic or international jet services."
A truck-trailer tipped over on Remutaka Hill near Wellington just after 10am, closing one lane on the south side near the summit.
The road has been closed between Kaitoke and Featherston due to strong winds.
Warnings had been in place for the section of State Highway 2 since 6am, with extra care urged for those driving a light, high-sided vehicle, or motorcycle.
In Hokitika's Cass Square, two big tents set up for the upcoming Wildfoods Festival collapsed due to strong winds.
"Luckily the local fire brigade helped us temporarily reinstate them until we can have a permanent fix," said organiser and Destination Westland chief executive Melanie Anderson.
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