Overview
- The deep low-pressure system struck on Friday and produced gale-force winds that exceeded 150 km/h in places, prompting multiple MetService severe-weather watches.
- About 200 flights were cancelled into and out of Wellington on Friday, and Wellington Airport said it had largely resumed normal operations by Saturday morning while airlines clear a backlog.
- Distribution operators reported thousands of customers without power after trees, slips and flood damage; Wellington Electricity and Powerco warned full restoration could take several days into next week.
- Flooding, landslips and road damage forced event evacuations and cut off communities, with South Wairarapa council reporting Martinborough isolated and coastal areas warned to avoid water after sewage discharges.
- MetService cleared its last heavy-rain and wind watches by Saturday morning, but authorities said crews will prioritise emergency safety fixes and that travel, power and ferry disruptions may persist as repairs continue.