Severe weather in South and lower North Island

Hundreds of travellers had their flights to and from Wellington cancelled today as powerful gusts of up to 130kmh lashed the lower North Island and the east coast of the South Island.

The MetService forecast winds strong enough to damage trees and power lines as an active front moved across the country today, but the wild weather did little damage as it passed over the South Island.

The Wellington region fared worse, with gusts averaging 120kmh bringing down phone lines and cancelling flights to and from the city.

One thousand airline passengers had their travel plans disrupted as 22 flights to and from Wellington Airport were cancelled and another nine diverted, TVNZ reported.

Air New Zealand spokeswoman Lara Harrison said four flights to and from Auckland were cancelled, while another three flights were diverted.

A flight from Christchurch was turned back, while two flights from Auckland were diverted to Palmerston North and Christchurch.

The wild weather also affected Wellington harbour ferry services, with two sailings cancelled this afternoon.

The Fire Service reported little damage from the strong winds.

Phone and cable television lines were brought down briefly in the Hutt Valley this afternoon, while the roof of a fire-damaged house in Christchurch lifted this afternoon.

MetService severe weather forecaster Gerard Barrow said the winds were expected to lash Wellington and Wairarapa until about 9pm, while heavy rains of up to 80mm were expected in the Tararua Ranges and Mt Taranaki overnight.

"At the moment the strongest winds seem to be averaging around about 120kmh," he said.

"It can lift roofs and make driving conditions hazardous, and also topple some trees as well."

Drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists needed to take care on the roads, he said.

Severe weather warnings for Westland, Canterbury and Marlborough were lifted this afternoon.

TRAMPERS CAUGHT IN FIERCE WEATHER

About 200 trampers in Fiordland National Park braced themselves last night as strong gales, heavy rain and flooding damaged bridges, tracks and huts.

Department of Conservation (DOC) visitor asset manager Ross Kerr said gale force winds lashed the Kepler and Routeburn Tracks, while up to 150mm of rain caused flooding and slides on the Milford Track.

A DOC ranger on the Routeburn track was forced to escape to safety when debris crashed through the roof of the MacKenzie Hut, while walkers on the Milford and Kepler Tracks awoke to find the windows of their huts blown out.

All walkers on the tracks were thought to be safe, Mr Kerr said.

"No trampers have been reported as overdue, but as usual staff will be keeping an eye on intentions forms trampers have lodged with the department," he said.

"We had 150mm of rain overnight on the Milford Track and gale force winds elsewhere, so there's flooding, potentially landslides and lots of windfalls."

Trampers should stay off the tracks while DOC staff assessed the damage, Mr Kerr said.

Walkers who had booked to use the tracks today and tomorrow would be refunded.

DOC community relations ranger Helen Dodson said Milford Rd was closed today, which had made it difficult for rangers to access some parts of the park.

- NZPA