Wild weather leaves thousands without power, strong gales and snow forecast

Author: NZ Herald,
Publish Date: Sun, 23 Aug 2026, 2:06pm

Wild weather has caused havoc around the top of the South Island and the bottom of the North Island, leaving hundreds of homes without power.

Central and southern parts of New Zealand are in line for a battering as severe gales are forecast until this afternoon and in some places into the evening.

MetService says heavy rain has eased, but severe westerly gales are likely to affect eastern parts of central New Zealand, and also the far south today. Snow is also expected to affect higher roads in the South Island today.

A strong wind warning is in place for Southland, Fiordland and Stewart Island until early afternoon with severe westerly gales gusting to 120km/h in exposed places. Even after the warning period ends, westerlies are expected to be gale force at times in exposed places on Monday.

Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures is possible, according to MetService. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Dunedin and Clutha can also expect severe gales until mid-afternoon. Residents are reminded to prepare their property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds.

In the North Island severe gale warnings are in place for both Tararua district and Wairarapa for much of the day.

Previous strong wind warnings for Wellington, the Marlborough Sounds and Canterbury high country have all been lifted, as have heavy rain warnings for Nelson Lakes, Buller, Grey district, the headwaters of Canterbury lakes and Westland north of Aoraki/Mt Cook.

People are urged to keep up to date with the latest forecasts.

Snow warnings are in place across parts of the lower South Island, including State Highway 94 to Milford Sound.

A fallen tree closed SH60 south of Collingwood in Golden Bay for a period this morning. The highway has since reopened.

Radio New Zealand reported that thousands of homes across Wellington and the South Island are without power this morning.

Wellington Electricity reported outages for more than 1300 customers in the Naenae, Plimmerton, and Kaitoke areas. Further north Power Co said more than 200 homes are without power in Carterton, and 150 in Taihape.

In the South Island, Network Tasman has recorded 1300 unplanned outages and about 80 homes in the Wahapo area on the West Coast are without power, according to provider Westpower.

On the east coast, Orion says about 20 homes just out of Christchurch in the Little River area also have no power.