By Charlotte Tonkin
Heavy rain and strong winds have damaged bridges and huts on popular walking tracks throughout Fiordland.
The Department of Conservation is clearing the tracks and refunding trampers booked to walk the Routeburn and Milford Tracks today and tomorrow.
The gale force winds created havoc at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, where the Black Caps are playing Australia.
Ground staff were tossed and left to hang on to field covers as they fought gusts of more than 100km/h.
The wind was strong enough to put the Basin’s light roller to work unassisted.
Flights in and out of Wellington airport have been badly disrupted by the winds for much of the afternoon.
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