Former cyclone Gita getting faster, despite being downgradedRNZ Cyclone Gita has been downgraded as it approaches central parts of New Zealand. Gita may have been downgraded to an ex-tropical cyclone, but that doesn't mean its necessarily slowing down. HIMAWARI 8, METSERVICE The sun rises to New Zealand's east at 7am on Tuesday, with Former Tropical Cyclone Gita still hidden in darkness. READ MORE:* Everything you need to know about cyclones* The process of naming cyclones* Cyclone Gita: Full coverageKerr said Taranaki and Farewell Spit could expect to see swells up to six metres. Gita intensified into a category 5 severe storm at its peak, before weakening.

Source: Stuff February 19, 2018 20:59 UTC