Thousands without power as bad weather batters lower North Island

More than 7500 homes and businesses are without power across the lower North Island this morning as severe weather that battered the South Island yesterday moves north.

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."

Air New Zealand said it would be pausing flights in and out of Wellington until 1pm today due to strong winds hitting the capital.

Chief operations officer Alex Marren said the airline would continue to monitor conditions closely and reassess throughout the morning.

"Unfortunately, this will mean delays to services in and out of Wellington today. Safety is always our highest priority, and we’ll only restart operations when it is safe to do so."

Nelson MP Rachel Boyack said her plane was waiting on the tarmac at Wellington Airport because it was too windy for ground crew to work.

Lines company PowerCo has 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 around 10 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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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