Severe gales battering Wellington are damaging buildings, uprooting trees and affecting flights in and out of the Capital.
The northwest winds pounded much of the southern North Island and northern South Island overnight and intensified this morning, weather forecasters said.
Sections of roofing iron on a building on Wellington's waterfront were ripped off and a window blew out of the Amora Hotel on Wakefield St in the central city. Trees were reported down in the southern suburbs.
Six regional flights had been cancelled or diverted and many other flights had been delayed, according to Wellington Airport information.
WeatherWatch.co.nz head analyst Philip Duncan said the first spring storm of the season had pounced, making for dangerous conditions outdoors.
Severe gusts up to 150kmh in exposed places were expected to continue until Saturday evening.
"Wellingtonians are used to gales but today is a day when people should avoid being outside if possible, especially around trees and powerlines".
He advised motorists driving over the Rimutaka Ranges to take extreme care.
"We're seeing winds go from 70kmh to 120kmh in seconds."
He said the windy weather would surge off and on across the country during the next five days.
"The strong winds are being caused mostly by a storm centred well south of New Zealand and a large high to the north, placing New Zealand in the belt of westerly winds that is dubbed `the roaring 40s'," he said.
Do you have photos of the damage? Send them to noles@tv3.co.nz.
NZN