KEY POINTS:
Ferocious weather is affecting parts of New Zealand, with the MetService warning of heavy rain and severe gales.
The MetService said a period of heavy rain was expected today on the South Island's west coast, the Buller and northwest Nelson area and in the Tararua Ranges at the bottom of the North Island.
There were severe northwesterly gales in eastern areas from Wairarapa and Wellington down to Otago.
In the hills around the capital, gusts of up to 140km/h were expected to last until this evening, while Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago could expect gusts of 120km/h.
The MetService warned of possible damage to trees, powerlines and insecure rooves, and said driving conditions could be hazardous.
Police have also warned the drivers of trucks, campervans and cyclists to be wary of particularly strong winds in the Canterbury and south Otago regions.
- NZPA
