Christchurch, Buller, Grey District, Selwyn, Westland, Tasman and Taranaki have each declared a state of emergency as ex-tropical Cyclone Gita shows her heavy hand. Authorities and people in the affected districts are all on high alert as a state of emergency has been declared in those provinces. Nearly 60 schools and kindergartens were closed in the upper South Island and State Highway 1 was shut north and south of Kaikoura due to heavy rain. Heavy rain warnings were in place for Nelson, Buller, Marlborough (including Kaikoura Coast), Wellington, Westland, the Canterbury Plains, the Canterbury high country and North Otago. Strong wind warnings were in place for Taranaki, Taihape, Whanganui, Nelson and Buller, Marlborough, Westland, Fiordland and Canterbury.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 19, 2018 23:15 UTC