Metservice placed a severe weather warning on Taranaki from 4am on Tuesday to 3am Wednesday, expecting southerly gales to reach 120kmh in exposed places. Strong winds in New Plymouth have seen trees come down on roads, partially blocking them and seeing traffic redirected. The gusting southerlies also cut the electricity supply to two coastal Taranaki towns according to the Powerco website but service was expected to be restored early this afternoon. Metservice placed a severe weather warning on Taranaki on Monday, saying southerly gales were forecast from 4am Tuesday to 3am on Wednesday. Gusts were expected to reach 120kmh in exposed places, and that the strongest winds were expected north of Taranaki Maunga.

Source: Stuff February 15, 2021 20:03 UTC