In an update this morning, MetService said heavy rain and southeast gales were set to hit central New Zealand. The council said weather reports indicated heavy rain and strong winds during event set-up, with conditions highly likely to continue into Wednesday. Clean-up continuesIn the parts of the South Island, strong winds brought down trees overnight. PowerCo said hundreds of properties remain without power north of Whanganui, and around Palmerston North and Feilding. Wild weather battered much of the North Island on Monday, disrupting campers, causing power outages and downing trees.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 29, 2025 19:14 UTC