A red alert has been issued for the Auckland Harbour Bridge as severe and potentially damaging winds strengthen, causing major traffic disruption.
MetService has issued a red alert for the bridge until midnight tonight due to strong winds that have forced intermittent closures of the Auckland Harbour Bridge throughout the day, with the most frequent expected between 5pm and 9pm.
At 7.20pm, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said due to “severe wind gusts”, the bridge had lane reductions in each direction.
“Reduced speed limits are still in place. Take extra care. High-sided vehicles and motorcyclists should consider delaying their journey or detour via SH18/SH16,” it tweeted earlier.
The bridge had earlier been closed in both directions due to the gusts.
The closure lasted about 10 minutes.
UPDATE 7:20PM
— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) August 31, 2025
Auckland Harbour Bridge now has lane reductions in each direction due to severe wind gusts. Reduced speed limits are still in place. ^AG https://t.co/eJVkJcSDRx
Earlier on Sunday morning, some lanes were also reduced on the bridge due to strong wind gusts.
Auckland Transport (AT) noted the winds were “likely to cause short duration closures and lane reductions to the Auckland Harbour Bridge throughout the day” and advised riders check their service before they travel.
“Buses that cross the Harbour Bridge may be delayed, cancelled, or detoured intermittently throughout the day. Some buses may terminate their routes at either side of the bridge.”
UPDATE 1:30PM
— NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) August 31, 2025
Auckland Harbour Bridge now has all lanes OPEN. Reduced speed limits are still in place. ^AG https://t.co/eJVkJcSDRx
The disruptions were expected to affect routes NX1, NX2, MEX, 866, 802, 82, 95B, 95C, 939, 923, 97R, 97B, 966, 931 and 933.
“We’ve got a big, strong southwesterly change sweeping through, and that’s where we’ve got these widespread severe gales coming from,” MetService meteorologist Silvia Martino told the Herald.
NZTA had earlier warned it would likely close the harbour bridge for “brief periods” today.
“To ensure safety, speed limits on the bridge may be reduced, lanes on the bridge may close, or short periods of full closures may be required,” NZTA said.
“Keeping road users safe and protecting the bridge are a priority. Decisions to lower speeds or close lanes are carefully considered.”
The transport agency said motorists needing to cross the bridge should use the western ring route on State Highways 16 and 18 instead.
MetService has issued an orange strong wind warning for Auckland, Aotea Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula for between 3pm and midnight.
The forecaster said there was a chance it would upgrade this to a red warning, saying gusts up to 120km/h were possible in exposed areas.
“Damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures is possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles,” MetService said.
Civil Defence group Auckland Emergency Management said people should prepare by tying down outdoor furniture or trampolines, clear branches and debris and stay indoors during the gusts.
A tree came down across David Ave in the Auckland suburb of Hillpark just before 3pm.
A photo from the scene showed a large tree that pulled up its roots and fell across a road crossing.
One person told the Herald the strong winds brought it down and the firefighters arrived at the scene within 10 minutes.
The incident also disrupted public transport along the road.
“Route 366 will detour via Lawrence Crescent and will not be stopping at Stop 6734 and Stop 6739.”
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand shift manager told the Herald two crews were in attendance at the fallen tree, using chainsaws to cut up the tree while ops support provided traffic diversion.
MetService said it had already recorded gusts up to 100km/h in parts of Northland this morning.
“And ... the west coast of Northland and Auckland has the potential [to see] even stronger, damaging gusts.”
More than 2700 lightning strikes have also been detected since midnight, most offshore.
⚡ More than 2700 strikes have been detected since midnight ⚡
— MetService (@MetService) August 30, 2025
💨 We've already recorded gusts of 90-100km/h in parts of Northland, and a line just coming on to the west coast of Northland and Auckland has the potential to bring even stronger damaging gusts 💨 pic.twitter.com/klW4hJ7Fpe
Five other strong wind watches have been issued for both islands. Northland will fall under a watch between 1pm and 9pm, Waikato north of Te Awamutu is under a watch from 3pm to 11pm, and Bay of Plenty west of Kawarau is under watch from 4pm to midnight.
The Hawke’s Bay south of Hastings, along with the Tararua District, will fall under a watch from midday to 11pm tomorrow, while a watch comes into place for Dunedin, Clutha, Southland south of Gore and Stewart Island from 10am to 6pm tomorrow.
MetService said all watches it had issued on Sunday morning had a moderate chance of being upgraded to a warning.
Martino said springtime was typically the windiest part of the year.
“It’s pretty appropriate for the start of spring that we’re blasting into some strong westerly winds. And we do have another few days of pretty unsettled westerly fronts sweeping by,” she said.
Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers business, breaking news and local stories from Tāmaki Makaurau. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.
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