Wellington Airport (file picture). Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Nine flights in and out of Wellington have been cancelled and several others delayed as heavy rain and strong winds continue around the country.
Wellington Airport says many of the disruptions have been caused by bad weather outside the capital, including Nelson.
It is advising passengers to check the status of their flight directly with the airline.
Earlier, MetService issued a strong wind warning for Wellington, predicting severe gale northerly winds gusting to 120km/h in exposed places. Further updates were expected on Monday night.
There is also a heavy southerly swell warning in place for Wairarapa, from Turakirae Head to Mataikona from 6am Tuesday to 3am Wednesday, rising to five metres.
Watch for snow on high-country roads overnight
MetService has issued a number of road snowfall warnings for high-altitude roads overnight on Monday and into Tuesday:
- Desert Road (SH1) - Snow expected about the summit 1pm-7pm Tuesday; 1cm could accumulate
- Lewis Pass (SH7) - Snow expected about the summit 3am-8am Tuesday; 1cm could accumulate
- Arthur's Pass (SH73) - Expect less than 1cm of snow to accumulate above 800m from midnight until 6am Tuesday
- Porters Pass (SH73) -Expect up to 1cm of snow to accumulate above 800m from midnight until 6am Tuesday
- Lindis Pass (SH8) - Expect 1cm to 3cm of snow to accumulate above 600m to 2am Tuesday
- Crown Range Road - Expect another 1cm to 2cm of snow to accumulate above 600m to 1am Tuesday
- Milford Road (SH94) - Expect 1cm to 2cm of snow to accumulate above 600m east of the Tunnel
Water quality warning for Wellington
Meanwhile, Wellington residents are being warned to check where they swim for the next three days because heavy rains have caused multiple sewage overflows.
The Moa Point wastewater treatment plant has had higher inflows than the facility is designed for and screened wastewater has been discharged into the ocean about 2km south of Lyall Bay.
Fully treated wastewater has also been discharged into Waiwhetu Stream in Lower Hutt.
Wellington Water says the water in these areas may smell and look cloudy or murky.
It suggests recreational users stay away for two to three days.
Earlier this evening surface flooding blocked the left lane on State Highway 2 from Korokoro Road to Dowse Drive road, but NZ Transport Agency said the lane is now clear and traffic has eased.
The Interislander has announced it will cancel all ferry sailings between Tuesday night and Thursday morning due to the bad weather.