A man has been killed by a falling branch in Mt Victoria, Wellington, as powerful gales cause damage and transport disruption in the lower North Island.
In Wairarapa, schools and businesses are closed, there are widespread power outages and buses are suspended, while authorities urge people to stay indoors
Air New Zealand paused flights in and out of Wellington Airport for the morning, but they have since resumed.
Power has been knocked out to hundreds of properties in North Canterbury, with much of the Canterbury region, Otago and Southland experiencing strong winds.
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