Photo: MetService/screenshotThe thunderstorm that has lashed the South Island and brought widespread and large hail is one of the year's most intense storms, MetService says. Large parts of the mainland have been under brief severe thunderstorm warnings through Saturday afternoon. Selwyn and Ashburton are currently still under severe thunderstorm warning. It said its roading maintenance contractor was out after the hail storm clearing street gutters to make sure stormwater could drain away. Two farms near Ashburton contacted by RNZ said the severe hail storms did not reach them.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 27, 2025 21:58 UTC