Extreme winds have hit exposed parts of Canterbury this morning, MetService says.
A rare red level strong wind warning is in effect for much of Canterbury, while orange level wind and rain warnings are in effect for much of the rest of the South Island.
Power is out to pockets of the central and lower South Island.
Alpine Energy in South Canterbury says power is out in Temuka, Makikihi, Geraldine and surrounding areas of the settlements due to the extreme wind buffeting the region this morning.
Network Waitaki is also reporting power has been cut in Teaneraki and Enfield due to the weather.
Downed lines have caused a small vegetation fire at Windsor Park.
Other lines companies in the central and lower South Island are reporting outages in small pockets with the cause under investigation.
Meteorologist David Miller says the front has brought about 60 millimetres of rain to Fiordland overnight, as well as very strong gusts to Southland, Otago and Canterbury.
"In Canterbury in the High Country we are seeing some pretty extreme gusts up at Mt Hutt. Very, very strong winds - 121 knots, so that's about 220 kilometres per hour gusts," Miller says.
Gusts of 120kmh have also hit Mid Dome in Southland and about 150kmh have hit Lamb Hill in Otago.
Miller says the front has moved through Fiordland overnight and is making its way through Southland, Clutha and the southern part of Westland at present.
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