Wellington trains resume after being suspended by severe aftershocks

Some train services in Wellington are back online after being briefly shut following this afternoon's aftershocks.

Metlink said it was currently evaluating what services it could bring back, but a train had left Wellington a few minutes ago.

There would be major speed restrictions and passengers should expect major delays.

A 5.8 aftershock followed by one measuring 5.3 were felt northeast of Kaikoura. The aftershocks are being classed as severe and were felt in Wellington.

Earlier today, flooding and slips caused widespread state highway closures in the Wellington region, including SH1, SH2 and SH58.

Parents working in central Wellington whose children are at school elsewhere in the region are being advised to make other plans to pick them up.

The NZ Transport Agency said SH1 between Mackays Crossing and Plimmerton in the Wellington region could be closed for much of the day, due to slips and flooding at several locations.

The agency was encouraging Kapiti parents stuck in Wellington to make arrangements for friends or family to collect their children from school or childcare.

People unable to get home due to the road closures were being told make arrangements to stay with friends and family where they can.

Parents should contact their children's school for updated information, and inform the school if they are having trouble getting to school to pick up their children.

Schools are being asked not to release children unless they can actually get home.