Updated: Wild winds wreak havoc in Rotorua (+video)

A combination of strong winds and a minor earthquake was believed to have caused this tree to topple in Murupara. Photo / Heather Carston

Wild winds wreaked havoc in Rotorua yesterday with fallen trees, downed electricity lines, power cuts and flight cancellations.

Gusts of up to 80km/h led to 1400 homes losing power in Rotoma, Okere, Tumunui, Tarawera and Waikite.

Unison Networks spokesman Danny Gough said most of the power cuts had been caused by trees and debris falling on power lines.

Last night he said people should be prepared to wait for prolonged periods as crews worked as quickly as possible to fix power lines.

This morning he said most customers have since had power restored.

"Our crews have been working in rough conditions through the night, and now there are only about 40 customers off in Rotoma, down from about 800 last night.

"Also, Okere customers have been restored, and most of the small pockets of customers across the region that had no power in the evening. Those 18 customers in Tumunui should be sorted as soon as we can get a helicopter to assess damage this morning."

Rotorua police Sergeant Lee Stringer said staff attended a number of jobs relating to fallen trees and advised people to stay off the roads during periods of high wind. People should try to stay home indoors, he added.

Rotorua firefighters were called out five times in the afternoon to fallen trees and downed powerlines and a trampoline that had been blown over on Kawaha Point Rd.

Visitors to Skyline Rotorua were also stranded on top of Mt Ngongotaha due to power cuts.

General manager Bruce Thomasen said they turned on their auxiliary power when the mains power was cut.

"Everyone was cleared out of the gondolas and chair lifts within minutes," he said.