Winds of up to 140km/h hammered Wellington yesterday, lifting roofs, cutting power, rolling cars and disrupting flights.
Central Fire Communications shift manager Andrew Tollison said there had been 50 weather-related call-outs in the capital by late afternoon.
They were mainly around Johnsonville, Kilbirnie and Hataitai areas.
The fire
service used tarpaulins to cover roofs that had been blown off by strong winds. A moving vehicle was blown over in Wainuiomata.
Central Police Communications spokesman Chris Turner said calls died down after a busy period between 10am and noon.
"We've had a number of powerlines down round Wellington city, which have caused us some issues, and where roadworks and cones are on the road it's causing us huge problems, blowing all over the road."
Motorists were being urged to avoid using the Rimutaka Hill Rd between Upper Hutt and the Wairarapa.
Police had already dealt with one road crash on the hill, where it appeared a van had been tipped over by the strong winds, Tollison said.
Motorcyclists and drivers of high-sided vehicles were also warned to stay away from Wainuiomata Hill, where two vehicles were blown off the road.
At Wellington airport, two flights were cancelled due to severe winds. Air New Zealand, Qantas and Pacific Blue flights were all delayed.
Further south there were high wind warnings in Canterbury, especially in the Arthur's and Lewis Passes, and police were urging drivers to take care.
- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: NZPA
