Storm in New Zealand

A powerful storm system swept across New Zealand, bringing destructive winds of up to 140 km/h, heavy rain, and heightened fire danger to the lower North and South Islands. Wellington, Marlborough, and the Kaikōura coast experienced the strongest winds, with red wind warnings in place, and several homes were destroyed by fires near Kaikōura.

Canterbury declared a local state of emergency as high winds caused damage, power outages, and travel disruptions across the region.

Authorities warned that another, possibly more intense, storm system was expected later in the week and urged residents to stay indoors, secure their property, and monitor MetService updates.