Strong gusts of wind are causing damage in New Plymouth and the Taranaki region today, making it the windiest place in the country.
A tree covers a street in the New Plymouth suburb of Merrilands after strong winds today. Photo: Supplied / Ricky Malcolm
MetService was predicting gusts of up to 120km/h until 9pm tonight.
Thousands of homes in New Plymouth were without power this evening due to the high winds.
Firefighters have attended more than 50 weather callouts around Taranaki today, including iron lifting from roofs and trampolines blowing away.
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said people should tie down or store away their trampolines to avoid this from happening.
At 3pm, the New Plymouth Airport was the windiest place in the country, with winds of about 67km/h.
Flights to and from the city this afternoon have been cancelled.
On State Highway 3 this morning, a fallen tree blocked a lane in the suburb of Waiwhakaiho, but has since been cleared.
Fallen trees should be reported to the local council.
MetService said wind could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures.
Driving could be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
In Picton, strong winds kept more than 500 passengers stranded on the Interislander ferry for 10 hours, with return sailings cancelled.
Weather closes highway
Meanwhile, a major highway in the central North Island is expected to be closed overnight due to trees on the road.
High winds have caused trees to fall onto State Highway 5 between Napier and Taupō, near the boundary of Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
Firefighters had to help a man when powerlines fell on his car along the state highway.
He was not injured.
The New Zealand Transport Agency said winds were still strong and contractors could not remove the trees until winds died down.
Detours are significant - through Palmerston North or Gisborne - which adds four or five hours to the journey.
State Highway 47 between Tokaanu to Tongariro, south of Lake Taupō, is also closed due to fallen trees.