Source: Radio New Zealand
Taihape weather – flooding and slips aftermath – 16 February 2026 RNZ/Dan Jones
The winds that struck Wellington today were the strongest in more than a decade, says MetService.
Gusts of 193 kilometres an hour were recorded at Mt Kaukau, and 128 kilometres at hour at Wellington Airport – the highest for both since 2013.
There has also been an orange heavy rain warning for the eastern hills of Wellington, also Wairarapa, and the Tararua Range, issued tonight.
The warning is due to expire at 11pm.
About 15 to 25 mm of rain is expected, on top of what had already fallen today.
But attention is turning further south, especially to Banks Peninsula, which is under an Orange Rain Warning and where up to 100-millimetres of further rain could fall.
Christchurch City Council said it was closely watching the weather and was aware of reports of surface flooding.
It said roading crews were being put on stand-by overnight, and more will be known in the morning.
More than 30,000 properties lost power today as wild winds brought trees and power lines down across much of the lower North Island.
Powerco said about 23,000 properties across its network have lost connections and in the Wellington region, about 10,000 have their connections cut.
Manawatū-Whanganui has been hit badly, and the region is under a state of emergency.
Meanwhile, homes on Lincoln Road in Masterton were evacuated due to the threat of falling trees.
Air NZ cancelled flights in and out of several major centres, including the capital, citing strong winds.
“Safety is paramount and we are continuing to closely monitor conditions, with winds expected to reduce later this morning when we expect to resume services,” chief operating officer Alex Marren said.
See how today’s events unfolded with RNZ’s live blog:
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
