Firefighters get callouts as severe weather hits Canterbury

RNZ

23 Jan, 2026 03:24 AMQuick Read

Subscribe to listenAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.Subscribe now

‌

SaveShare this articleCopy LinkEmailFacebookTwitter/XLinkedInReddit

Firefighters in Canterbury are responding to a house struck by lightning and another with a caved-in ceiling. Photo / Bevan Conley

Firefighters in Canterbury are responding to a house believed to have been struck by lightning, and another where the ceiling has caved in as a bout of severe weather crosses the mainland.

It comes after MetService issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Canterbury regions of Hurunui, Waimakariri and Christchurch
City.

Fire and Emergency said shortly after 2pm, it received eight weather-related callouts in half an hour across Kaiapoi and Rangiora.

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said it was notified of an incident on Kingsbury Ave, Rangiora, around 3.30pm, with one person taken to Christchurch Hospital in a moderate condition.

… More to come