Gusts at Wellington Airport reached between 95 and 100km/h this afternoon, causing disruption to a number of flights. Photo: 123RF
Several flights out of Wellington have been cancelled, delayed or diverted this afternoon because of high winds.
Gusts at the airport have reached between 95 and 100km/h.
In addition to domestic disruptions, international flights from Sydney and Brisbane have been diverted to Auckland.
The airport says passengers should check with their airline for the latest information.
Strong wind warnings no longer in force
MetService had earlier issued orange strong wind warnings for parts of the lower North Island and the upper South Island but these have now been lifted.
Tararua, Wairarapa and Wellington were expected to get severe northwest gales gusting to 120km/h an hour until 8pm.
An orange heavy rain warning that was in place for the ranges of Buller, Tasman, west of Takaka, including Nelson Lakes National Park has also been lifted.
In the North Island, a strong wind watch is in place for Taihape and inland Hawke's Bay until 11pm, and for inland Gisborne until 2am on Saturday.
Westerly winds approaching severe gale in exposed places are also expected in Taranaki on Saturday, with a strong wind watch in place from 10am to 5pm.
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) meteorologist Chris Brandolino told RNZ on Thursday that the country was in for a weather "rollercoaster" before temperatures rose to 30 degrees Celsius again next week.
Conditions would be unsettled on Friday night and into Saturday, with a day or two of "unusually cool, brisk temperatures for this time of year", he said.