Power cuts, trees down as heavy rain, gales batter upper North

Severe weather is impacting much of New Zealand as an active low-pressure system moves across the country, prompting weather alerts to be upgraded to warnings and disrupting summer plans for many.

Weather Warnings in Place Across North and South Islands

Orange heavy rain and strong wind warnings are in effect for most of the North Island and the northern parts of the South Island through the final days of the year. A mix of wind, rain, thunderstorms, and cooler temperatures are forecast for numerous areas.

Fire and Emergency NZ has responded to over 100 callouts in the upper North Island, including reports of downed trees and roofs being lifted.

All lanes of the Auckland Harbour Bridge have reopened after a temporary closure earlier today. NZTA advises motorists to expect congestion and obey all speed restrictions.

Tauranga City Council has cancelled all five of its community New Year’s Eve celebrations due to the forecast adverse weather, which has disrupted setup and is expected to continue.

More than 500 properties in southern Auckland and northern Waikato are without power, according to Counties Energy. Crews are working to restore power, with outages caused by winds damaging equipment and trees falling onto powerlines.

PowerCo reported outages affecting 375 properties in Carterton and 109 in Horopito, while power has been restored to Kennedy Bay, Matamata and Te Aroha. Northpower said outages are impacting 422 customers at Kaiwaka, 181 at Maungaturoto, 224 near Kaiwaka and 235 at Mangawhai. Repairs are ongoing at Kauri, where a fallen tree has cut power to 285 customers.

‘Plan B’ Urged for New Year’s Eve

MetService meteorologist Katie Lyons said while there will be breaks in the weather for some areas, conditions require monitoring. A rainband moving south is bringing wet conditions to the upper North Island.

The Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay are currently experiencing the “most intense and persistent” rainfall, with orange heavy rain warnings continuing through Tuesday for some regions. Early in the event, ranges in the Coromandel region are already seeing over 40mm of rain, with 20mm toward the towns.

Heavy rain watches are in place for the Bay of Plenty west of Rotorua, the Tararua District and Wairarapa, and the Kaikoura Coast.

Gale southeasterlies are spreading across the North Island and northwest of the South Island, with orange strong wind warnings in effect for the Coromandel, Waikato to Taranaki and Taihape, and Manawatu south to Kapiti. In the South Island, gales will accelerate over the ranges, bringing strong gusts to Buller, Grey and northern Westland from 10pm tonight through 2pm Tuesday. Strong wind watches are also in place for Auckland and Wellington.

Lyons said winds are expected to be strongest in exposed areas and that those usually sheltered may experience stronger gusts than usual. The driest place to ring in the New Year is expected to be the far south of the country, while the wettest will be western central New Zealand. She advises having a “plan B” for New Year’s festivities and monitoring the forecast and radar.

Full List of Weather Warnings and Watches

Heavy Rain Warning – Orange

• Coromandel Peninsula – 9 hours from 9am to 6pm Monday
• Gisborne/Tairāwhiti – 18 hours from 9am Monday to 3am Tuesday
• Bay of Plenty (east of Rotorua) – 17 hours from 9am Monday to 2am Tuesday
• Hawke’s Bay – 19 hours from 10am Monday to 5am Tuesday

Strong Wind Warning – Orange

• Marlborough Sounds, Nelson, Buller, Grey, northern Westland – 15 hours from 10pm Monday to 1pm Tuesday
• Coromandel Peninsula – 6 hours from 9am to 3pm Monday
• Waikato, Waitomo, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taupō, Tongariro NP, Taihape – 9 hours from noon to 9pm Monday
• Manawatū, Horowhenua, Kāpiti Coast – 18 hours from 3pm Monday to 9am Tuesday

Heavy Rain Watch

• Bay of Plenty west of Rotorua – 15 hours from 9am to midnight Monday
• Tararua District and Wairarapa – 16 hours from 11pm Monday to 3pm Tuesday
• Kaikōura Coast – 12 hours from 9am to 9pm Tuesday

Strong Wind Watch

• Auckland and Great Barrier Island – 5 hours from 9am to 2pm Monday
• Wellington – 12 hours from 9am to 9pm Tuesday