High winds have brought down trees and power lines and caused outages around the Rotorua and Tokoroa region this morning.
Rotorua Lakes Council earlier reported Timberlands had closed Whakarewarewa Forest until 6am Thursday due to the winds, however, a later statement from the council said this was incorrect and the forest was open.
Mountain Bike Rotorua said the forest was open this afternoon but had recommended the public stay out until Thursday and would not be operating bike hire or shuttle services in the forest for the rest of today.
MetService has recorded southerly winds averaging 41-52km/h at Rotorua Airport since midnight, and which were expected to continue throughout today. The weather is expected to ease overnight and the forecast tomorrow is for winds of about 30km/h.
Trees have come down in the region and power lines blocked State Highway 30 near Brunswick Rd for a time.
Unison spokesman Danny Gough said there were power outages in rural areas, with hundreds of customers without electricity in Ngakuru, Waikite Valley, Kaingaroa Forest, Waimangu, Waiotapu and Broadlands.
Large tree down in main Street of Tokoroa crushes Nexus Restaurant and Sports Bar. Photo / John V Photography
Several customers were also without power in the Hamurana and Kaharoa area.
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"Power poles and lines in the areas where unplanned outages have occurred could be damaged by branches or other debris.
"It's frustrating, but that's the weather. We only ask for people to continue to be patient. Our crews are doing all they can out there."
MetService had extended a strong wind watch from Bay of Plenty and Taupō to include the Tokoroa region where a Large tree fell on a shop front this morning.
The council said Fulton Hogan had two crews at each end of the district's roading network and would continue to monitor the weather and attend to calls as they came in. More resources will be sent in if required.
Fulton Hogan said at present all roads in the district are open, but motorists should drive to the conditions and be prepared for the unexpected.
Trees down
• Tree blocking one lane in Waikite Valley Rd - now cleared
• Two trees blocking Ohakuri Rd - crew are on site
• Tree blocking both lanes on Kapukapu Rd - now cleared
• Power line down along SH33 near Brunswick - Unison on site
• Tree blocking one lane near Brunswick - crew on site
