Heavy swells and debris on Wellington's south coast on Wednesday morning. Some Ōwhiro Bay residents took the precaution of boarding up garages overnight. Photo: RNZ / Bill Hickman
Ferry services have been cancelled as heavy swells hit Cook Strait and high winds buffeted central and southern parts of the country overnight.
In Wellington and Canterbury, Fire and Emergency received several calls about roofs lifting and trees or power lines falling on to roads.
Power lines taken down in high winds in Canterbury left 400 Banks Peninsula households without power.
Two people were rescued after their boat ran on to rocks in Canterbury during the the wild weather. Police said the boat hit rocks in Flea Bay on Banks Peninsula about 6pm on Tuesday.
Roads were closed in Christchurch due to fallen trees or flooding from high tide, including parts of New Brighton Road, Avonside Drive, Newport Street, River Road and Maces Road, and there was debris over roads in Banks Peninsula.
Interislander cancelled morning sailings of the Aratere and Kaiarahi from Wellington and the 11am and 2.15pm services from Picton.
It was likely later sailings will also be cancelled and that would be confirmed early afternoon, Interislander said. Passengers would be offered a refund and not moved to other sailings because they were fully booked.
Four Bluebridge sailings, up to early afternoon, were been cancelled. The company said services were likely to resume on Wednesday evening but there could be further cancellations if the severe weather carried on longer than forecast.
Strong southerly wind and large waves coincided with a king tide around Wellington's south coast on Wednesday morning. Photo: RNZ / Bill Hickman
Crews have been out clearing debris from waves spilling on to the road on Eastbourne's Marine Drive, and Hutt City Council asked drivers to take extra care or to delay travel until later in the day.
MetService warned some flooding was also possible on the south coast of Wellington as the bad weather coincided with a king tide.
About 950 households in Belmont, Lower Hutt, had power cut overnight when trees fell on overhead power lines. Most were reconnected by 7am.
Cape Palliser Road in South Wairarapa was closed because of overnight storm damage. A large hole near Te Kopi left the coastal road impassable.
MetService forecast large waves along the south Wellington and Wairarapa coasts during Wednesday.
Swells of up to 5m were due along Wellington's south coast during the morning, gradually easing in the late morning or early afternoon.
Southwest waves of up to 6m were forecast for the morning around Palliser Bay and spreading north.
File photo of Interislander ferry Aratere leaving Wellington. Interislander and Bluebridge cancelled Cook Strait crossings due to the weather conditions. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King