High winds blow over ambulance

Police are urging people in Canterbury to stay off the roads as wild weather lashes the quake-ravaged region.

Emergency services, councils and other agencies were being called to "numerous instances" of felled trees and power lines, some of which knocked out power and blocked roads.

Police said motorists should delay travel if possible.

Earlier, Dunedin emergency services were "hammered" as high winds downed power lines and lifted roofs.

"(There are) trees down, lines down, roofs lifting, trees falling on houses all that sort of thing," southern fire communications shift manager Jan Wills told NZPA.

Power was reported to be out in North Dunedin, Outram, parts of Mosgiel and Highcliff Rd on the Otago peninsula.

Winds were also causing havoc further north, with an ambulance blowing over in South Wairarapa about 5pm.

Paramedics were called to help a motorist injured after his van blew over near Featherston, when the ambulance was also tipped over by a heavy gust, Radio New Zealand reported.

The motorist and paramedic were taken to Wairarapa Hospital with minor injuries.

- NZPA