Air NZ warns travellers of weather disruptions before long weekend

Author: Imogene Bedford,
Publish Date: Wed, 8 Jul 2026, 8:36pm

Air New Zealand is warning of flight delays as wild weather hits Wellington.

With weather warnings in place for many parts of the country, Air New Zealand customers are being warned to expect delays or cancellations heading into the long weekend.

Wellington customers were told tonight there may be disruptions to their flights on Thursday as high winds and heavy rain continue to batter the lower North Island.

The option to move to an alternative flight has been offered to one traveller who was scheduled to depart from Wellington at 1pm tomorrow.

A spokesperson for Air New Zealand told the Herald at this stage only flights to and from Wellington were expected to face potential impacts, but that was subject to change.

Strong winds are expected throughout Wellington, the Marlborough Sounds, Kāpiti Coast and Taranaki, with a MetService watch in place until 6pm tomorrow.

The gusts may reach severe gale-force in exposed parts of the region, with residents being warned of potential damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures.

An orange heavy rain warning is also in place for the eastern ranges of Horowhenua, Manawatū and Taihape and the ranges of the Tararua District and Hawke’s Bay until midnight Thursday.

The wild winter weather has been moving up the country for the past several days, first impacting the upper South Island before shifting north.

On Tuesday, a state of emergency was declared in Kaikōura, with MetService estimating nearly 200mm of rain had fallen in 24 hours.

Hundreds of people were evacuated as riverbanks burst, causing widespread flooding, and many roads were closed throughout the region.

A heavy rain warning remains in place until 6pm Thursday for Marlborough and Canterbury between Ward and Hanmer, and southeast of the Awatere Valley, including the Kaikōura Ranges.