Man killed by falling branch, roads closed as wild weather hits

A man has been killed by a falling branch, thousands of properties remain without power and state highways have been closed as severe weather continues to batter the country.

Multiple orange-level weather warnings remained in place, with heavy rain affecting the Tararua Range and parts of the upper South Island. Strong wind warnings were also in force for Wellington, Wairarapa, Marlborough, the Canterbury High Country, and Hawke's Bay.

Up to 130km/h wind gusts were forecast in exposed places, MetService said.

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"Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles."

A man died he was struck by a falling branch on Wellington's Mount Victoria at around 9.20am. He was taken to hospital but died a short time later.

Air New Zealand paused flights in and out of Wellington Airport for four hours between 9am and 1pm due to strong winds hitting the capital.

Lines company PowerCo reported outages in Greytown, Masterton, and Carterton. It is unknown when power would be restored to the area. In a statement to 1News, it said crews were on the way to assess the cause of several outages in Wairarapa believed to be weather-related.

"Powerco thanks customers for their patience and understanding."

Fire and Emergency NZ said they had received dozens of weather-related callouts for the lower North Island since 6am, with reports of roofs lifting and smashed windows in the Wairarapa, Wainuiomata, and Central Hawke's Bay.

A truck trailer tipped over on State Highway 2 near Pahiatua during high winds in the area at around 7.30am.

NZTA has urged caution for motorists travelling along State Highway 2 at the Remutaka Hill.

"Due to strong winds, caution is advised along this route, especially for light or high-sided vehicles."

Sailings on the East by West ferry service connecting Wellington CBD and Eastbourne had been cancelled due to the bad weather. Cook Strait ferries were operating as normal.

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In the south, SH69 is closed at the Inangahua Landing, at Inangahua River Bridge.

"Multiple areas in the West Coast region, and extending onto the Canterbury side of the Main Divide, are now subjects to road closures or area warnings because of flooding or slips," the transport agency said.

On SH7, damage to the highway near the Engineers Camp has been caused by flooding and erosion.

The highway is closed between Springs Juction and the Hanmer Springs turnoff.

"With the Boyle River running high at the site of the erosion, and more rain predicted through this week, further erosion is possible. The roading teams will be monitoring the situation and will be seeking to fill the eroded areas when conditions allow."

SH7 was also closed between Stillwater and Dobson and Stillwater and Ngahere.

MetService said the conditions were a precursor for a "potentially more impactful" weather event later in the week.

Meteorologist Michael Pawley said heavy rain and "potentially damaging winds" will arrive in the South Island on Thursday.

The upper North Island is also forecast to experience a burst of rain and strong winds overnight into Friday as the "significant front" crosses.

"There are hints that the impacts could be greater. Warnings and watches are likely to be issued in the coming days. In the meantime, the National Emergency Management Agency has useful resources for how you can be prepared."

Heavy Rain Warning – Orange

Tararua Range – 9 hours from 9am to 6pm Tuesday

Buller, Tasman District west of Takaka, Nelson Lakes National Park, Spenser Mountains and St Arnaud Range – 5 hours from 9am to 2pm Tuesday

Fiordland – 14 hours from midnight Wednesday to 2pm Thursday

Ranges of Westland – 17 hours from midnight Wednesday to 5pm Thursday

Strong Wind Warning – Orange

Hawke's Bay – 12 hours from 9am to 9pm Tuesday

Tararua District, Wairarapa, and Wellington – 11 hours from 9am to 8pm Tuesday

Marlborough – 10 hours from 9am to 7pm Tuesday

Canterbury High Country – 9 hours from 9am to 6pm Tuesday

Heavy Rain Watch

Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers – 16 hours from 1am to 5pm Thursday

Westland away from the ranges – 17 hours from midnight Wednesday to 5pm Thursday

Headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers – 14 hours from midnight Wednesday to 2pm Thursday

Strong Wind Watch

Manawatu (south of Palmerston North), Rangitikei (south of Bulls), Horowhenua, and Kapiti – 8 hours from 9am to 5pm Tuesday

Christchurch and Canterbury Plains – 9 hours from 9am to 6pm Tuesday

Otago (excluding Clutha) – 8 hours from 9am to 5pm Tuesday

Fiordland, Southland, Stewart Island, and Clutha – 10 hours from 9am to 7pm Tuesday