Wellington, June 26, 2026 – The Europe Today: Severe winds and heavy rainfall caused widespread disruption across New Zealand’s lower North Island on Friday, forcing flight cancellations, triggering power outages, and prompting authorities to urge residents to remain indoors as a deep low-pressure weather system swept across the region.
The adverse weather significantly affected transportation, with Wellington Airport canceling most scheduled flights for the day. Approximately 200 services were expected to be grounded due to hazardous wind conditions, while airport authorities indicated that operations are likely to gradually resume on Saturday as the weather improves.
New Zealand’s MetService extended orange strong wind warnings for Wellington, Taranaki, and parts of Marlborough, forecasting wind gusts of up to 130 kilometers per hour in exposed areas. The strongest recorded gust reached 153 km/h at Mount Kaukau in Wellington.
According to the national weather agency, severe conditions were expected to persist through Friday night before gradually easing.
Emergency services responded to dozens of weather-related incidents, including fallen trees, damaged roofs, and debris scattered by powerful winds. In New Plymouth, one man sustained serious injuries after a tree fell onto his vehicle during the storm.
The severe weather also caused widespread power disruptions, with approximately 4,000 customers in the Wellington region left without electricity. Authorities warned that restoration efforts could take several days due to dangerous working conditions for repair crews.
Heavy rainfall also triggered localized flooding, landslides, and road closures, particularly in Lower Hutt, northeast of Wellington. Officials advised motorists to avoid unnecessary travel and urged residents to remain vigilant until weather conditions improve.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as emergency crews work to restore essential services and clear storm-related damage across the affected areas.
