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High winds have whipped the country overnight, tearing off roofs, felling trees and sweeping trampolines into the air.
Heavy rain last night has also seen minor flooding in the far south, and snow is expected this morning down 600m in alpine southern areas.
A MetService severe weather warning remains in
place for Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Otago, Southland, Nelson, and Canterbury, with gales of up to 130kmh expected to lash these regions today.
Half of the roof of an operations building at Napier Port was pulled off just before 2am, while a section of roof was also lifted off a farm house in Kereru, Hastings, just before 4am.
A Fire Service Southern Communications spokesperson said crews were called out to four weather-related incidents overnight - three trampolines were blown from properties and fence was damaged by the high winds - all in the central Invercargill suburbs.
Cape Turnagain on the Hawkes Bay had the highest gusts, with winds of 180kmh recorded by MetService. The Takapau Plains, also on the Hawkes Bay, had gusts of 120kmh, Napier had winds up to 80kmh and Masterton has gusts up to 75kmh.
In the South Island, Invercargill had gusts up to 110kmh, Fairlie had gusts up to 85kmh, Lyttelton had 70kmh gusts, Darfield had gusts up to 65kmh and Dunedin Airport had gusts of 60kmh.
MetService forecaster Derek Holland said the high winds will continue for the eastern North Island for the remainder of the day, while the strong winds for the north of the South Island will drop off this afternoon and rest of the South Island this evening.
"It is just picking up over the far south. It is probably going to get worse."
Mr Holland said snow warnings for Milford Rd and Lindis Pass remain in pass, with snow expected down to about 600m.
Around 10 to 20cm of snow is forecast for higher parts of the Milford Rd today, falling this morning and afternoon, while 1 to 2cm of snow is expected later today.
MetService forecasts snow falls will lower to 200 to 300m over Fiordland, Southland and Otago this afternoon and evening.
Snow accumulations below 500 metres will probably not be enough to justify heavy snow warnings. However snowfalls will be accompanied by strong or gale cold winds and farmers are advised to shelter any vulnerable stock.
Snow showers are expected to clear by about dawn tomorrow.
Heavy rain and high tides have caused flooding around Dunedin and the Clutha District, the Otago Daily Times reported, with Toko Mouth Rd closed at the Milton end.
Last night Environment Southland hydrologists were monitoring the Mokoreta River following concerns of possible flooding.
