Severe gales rattled both Wellington and Marlborough overnight with gusts peaking at 133km/h at Mt Kaukau.
Wellington, Wairarapa south of Greytown and the Marlborough Sounds all remain under a strong orange wind warning.
Firefighters responded to one weather-related callout when a tree was uprooted at a property in Eketāhuna.
The wild weather comes after a severe red wind warning was issued for the Canterbury region, with much of the South Island also under weather warnings.
Hundreds lost power, trees and lampposts were blown over, and people were asked to stay at home.
A major highway along the West Coast also remains shut because of a slip.
State Highway 6, between Lower Buller Gorge and Punakaiki, closed overnight.
Motorists are asked to detour via the inland route of State Highway 69 and State Highway 7.
– RNZ