Flights resume as winds buffet Wellington

A slip at Ferry Rd in Eastbourne, Lower Hutt, was blocking both lanes with no access in or out, the council said. PHOTO: RNZ

Heavy winds are continuing to blast Wellington's coast, keeping some roads closed, but flights have resumed. 

Heavy winds are continuing to blast Wellington's coast, keeping some roads closed, but flights have resumed.

MetService yesterday issued a rare red wind warning - its highest - as winds of up to 150km/h were recorded, saying there was "threat to life".

Severe winds smashed Wellington, lifting roofs, felling trees, closing roads and sparking numerous emergency callouts.

Power has been cut to thousands of properties across Wellington, Wairarapa and Manawatū.

Wellington is under an orange level heavy rain warning until midday, and Wairarapa, south of Masterton, until 3pm.

Wellington Region Emergency Management Office said people should expect to see debris and some surface flooding on the roads.

"We are still advising people not to travel unless necessary. If you do need to travel, plan ahead, drive to the conditions, be aware of debris and expect delays."

Wellington Airport advised that conditions had eased enough in the capital for flights to begin operating again.

A Qantas flight from Sydney arrived last night about midnight and a number of flights have departed this morning.

However, the airport is cautioning that there still may be some disruptions today, depending on the weather. Passengers should check with their airline for specific flight information.

Cook Strait ferry sailings have been cancelled until at least this afternoon due to big swells.

A Lower Hutt woman who had a narrow escape from a falling branch as the wild winds ripped through Wellington is calling on the council to chop back two pohutukawa trees heavily.

Julie Paterson was on Hayward Terrace, in the suburb of Waiwhetū, when she heard a loud crack and ran for her life as a branch fell towards her yesterday. She said it was  terrifying and the city council needed to do something about it.

Rainfall update from overnight

Things have eased in Canterbury, with more breaks between the wet weather today. Most of the showers should clear by the end of the day

Still a wet day in Wellington and Wairarapa however, with Orange Rain Warnings still in place

pic.twitter.com/yK2F0U6Zev

— MetService (@MetService)

May 1, 2025

Roads affected

Roads on Wellington's south coast remain closed because of debris thrown across them by big seas yesterday.

The city council said it was likely sections of the road from Seatoun to Ōwhiro Bay would be closed for much of today while crews check on damage and start a clean-up. The stretch between Lyall Bay and Island Bay is open.

Hutt City Council said it remained in an active emergency response and contractors have been out across Lower Hutt overnight clearing debris, unblocking drains and addressing hazards.

The Lower Hutt suburb of Eastbourne remains cut off this morning.

A slip on Ferry Rd in Days Bay is blocking both lanes with no access in or out, apart from emergency vehicles.

Hutt City Council said contractors plan to open one lane for residents.

Both lanes of Wainuiomata Hill Rd would be opened for peak traffic travelling to Lower Hutt this morning, though lanes may be reduced at 10am to pull down potentially loose material and mitigate further slippage, which may take a number of hours.

The Petone Esplanade around the Cuba St area is experiencing significant surface flooding and people have been told to avoid the area.