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Kevin Stent / Dominion-Post
North winds and high tide make the waves break over the Balaena Bay jetty in Wellington.
Heavy rains and winds hit both islands, close roads, raise roofs, and cause flooding.
Metservice said that strong winds, rain and possible thunderstorms would hit the west coast, Taranaki, Auckland and the wider Wellington region from Sunday to Monday.
Drought-stricken Northland was expected to have periods of heavy rain from noon and cities like Kaitaia could experience thunderstorms.
Parts of Canterbury have also been hit by strong winds, creating high waves on waterways, including Lake Tekapo.
Kevin Stent / Dominion-Post
Wild weather hits Wellington. A pedestrian crosses Ghuznee Street.
Wellington, South Wairarapa and Marlborough were hit by heavy gusts on Sunday morning, MetService said, while in Taranaki power lines were down and at least one roof was raised from a house.
There were strong rain warnings for Taranaki, Tongariro National Park, the Kaimanawa Range, and the eastern Bay of Plenty Range.
Gale watches were issued in Marlborough, Wellington, South Wairarapa, Taranaki, Taihape and the Whanganui Mountain Region, and Auckland.
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Strong wind watch for Auckland is in place starting at 1 p.m.
MetService said strong northeast winds are expected until 7pm and “gusts can approach 100 kilometers per hour in exposed locations.”
Auckland Emergency Management said that people in the region may have noticed the rain and wind. He advised people to contact the Auckland Council if public or Vector trees were felled due to power outages.
Rainfall amounts could come close to warning criteria in the area, MetService said.
The press
There is a moving slip in the Lower Buller Gorge.
One on the west coast, it slides at each end of the Lower Buller Gorge, east of Wesport, closed SH6 between Inangahua and Westport.
Contractors from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) hoped to clear the slips on Sunday afternoon if weather conditions allowed.
SH6 south of Westport to Greymouth is open, but the rain continued to fall in the north of Westland and the Buller district.
“We encourage people to avoid using roads in these conditions and to be vigilant of surface debris. Slow down if you have to take a trip, ”said NZTA maintenance contract manager Moira Whinham.
The press
Strong winds in the past two days have created waves on Lake Tekapo. PHOTO: GEORGE EMPSON
Heavy rains can cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and more slipping were also possible, and driving conditions could be dangerous, MetService warned.
SH67, north of Westport to Mohikinui, has also had some surface flooding, but remains open.
The road south of Inangahua was closed today due to flooding between Inangahua and Reefton. The path opened at 9.30 in the morning.
