What you need to know
- MetService has issued severe weather warnings for large parts of the country as wild winds hit.
- Red-level strong wind warnings have been issued for Canterbury, Marlborough south of Cape Campbell, Wellington, Wairarapa south of Carterton and coastal parts of Clutha and Southland, including Stewart Island today.
- NEMA has activated its national co-ordination centre and a state of local emergency has been declared for the Canterbury region.
- Five homes were destroyed by fire in Kaikōura on Tuesday, with multiple blazes across the country, including in Hawke's Bay, Dunedin and Hanmer Springs fanned by "extreme" winds.
- Fire bans are in place for Hawke's Bay, the Wellington region, Marlborough, and Canterbury.
- Have you been affected by the weather? Send your photos and videos to news@tvnz.co.nz
