A family were fortunate to escape injury early this morning when a massive redwood tree crashed through their home as severe winds tore through the Rangitikeī district overnight.
A red-level heavy rain warning and orange-level strong wind warning had been in place for the area as a deep low brought heavy rain and severe gales to parts of the country.
The property, around 3km outside Hunterville, was struck by the falling tree just after 6am on Monday.
Homeowner Kellick Harding told 1News he had just woken up when he heard a loud crash.
"I thought it was a tree that went into the house, but when I got up and looked, there was dust and I thought, 'Oh that's good, it wasn't a tree, the door shut'. Then I opened the door, and that's what had happened."
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The tree had fallen straight onto the house, causing significant damage. The fallen redwood was part of a century-old line of trees that had been planted as a shelter belt on the property.
"We always thought something like that might happen one day… but we’ve dodged a lot of weather events over the years," Harding said.
"This time it must’ve been our turn."
Harding went to check the nearby creek and surrounding property for other issues after the tree fell.
“By the time I walked down to the shed and came back, another big tree had come down across the drive. We’ve got another way out past the shed, but a tree blocked that too. So we’re pretty much stuck in for a little bit.”
Power lines came down onto the lawn, leaving the property without electricity.
"I’d say we’ll be off for a few days,” he said.
Harding and his partner were staying with their two sons in Hunterville while they waited for assessors to arrive.
“It’s just a matter of getting the insurance company in and seeing where we go from here.”
One piece of luck stood out, despite the extensive damage, the family's car, parked directly beside where the tree fell, escaped unscathed.
"Everything that’s happened, I don’t think there’s a dent or a scratch on it. But we can’t get it out. It’s going to be a little while before we drive that again."
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