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Despairing locals are wondering how long it will take to repair the damage.

Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel lifted the city's state of emergency at 11am.

MetService Weather New Zealand: February 21st - 24th

MetService Weather Christchurch: February 22nd

MetService Weather Wellington: February 22nd

MetService Weather Auckland: February 22nd

MetService Severe Weather Update: February 21st - 22nd

Cleanup underway after ex-Cyclone Gita hits Kapiti Coast. / Video from Mark Mitchell

Dozens of people spent the night at the Upper Takaka Country Club.

Extra crews have been brought in to restore power in hard-hit Taranaki in Gita's wake.

Tourists are trapped and residents have been evacuated as bad weather leads to states of emergency in Taranaki, across South Island. Massive slips have closed Takaka Hill Road in the Tasman region with huge damage done to the state highway. State Highway between Pukerua Bay and Paekakariki in Wellington is partially closed this morning after seas washed over the road.

Weather warnings and forecasts for each region.

It was a hectic night for emergency services, especially those in Taranaki, the Tasman region and the west coast of the south island.

Gita sent huge waves crashing over the main road into Wellington from the Kapiti Coast.

Homes are without power and strong winds tore down trees.

The storm has split in two and continues to ravage Canterbury and the lower South Island.

The storm cut power to several areas and a state highway is badly damaged.

The storm ripped out fences, pulled off garage doors and peeled off a roof.

David Walker and neighbours Dennis and Bev Walker are staying in their homes at Rapahoe despite the threat from ex-tropical cyclone Gita. Video Jason Oxenham

Footage captured of flooding and evacuations due to Gita cyclone.

Blackouts over the region as cyclone blasts through

Ex-tropical cyclone Gita's fierce winds whipped up Lake Kaniere on the West Coast to resemble a raging ocean. video / Graeme King

A couple have a scary ride along a flooded road in Nelson as Cyclone Gita unleashes her fury on the South Island. Video / Nelson Snippets

Footage has emerged of flooding at both West Bank Road in Motueka and at the end of a driveway flowing onto another road in Motueka. Source: Facebook / @JessKing and Facebook / @LeanneBoyce

Frances Cook reports from Motueka, just outside Nelson, at a river which is 'very fast-flowing.'

Police unable to confirm whether woman has been rescued.

Cyclone Gita is barrelling towards NZ and is due to make landfall this afternoon.

Cyclone Gita's region-by-region weather forecast over coming hours.

Rapahoe Bay Holiday Park owner Jan Fletcher says she's "worried sick" about Gita