Air New Zealand warns of flight delays as wild weather hits Wellington

The gusts may reach severe gale-force in exposed parts of the region, with residents being warned of potential damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures.

📢 Warnings Update‼️

🟠Heavy Rain Warning now in force for Wairarapa and the eastern ranges of the North Island 🌧️
🟡 Heavy Snow Watch added for inland Otago and southern Canterbury High Country ❄️
🟡 Heavy Rain Watches for the eastern South Island 🌧️
🟡 Strong Wind Watch for… pic.twitter.com/hfowPpZT87

— MetService NZ (@MetService) July 7, 2026

An orange heavy rain warning is also in place for the eastern ranges of Horowhenua, Manawatū and Taihape and the ranges of the Tararua District and Hawke’s Bay until midnight Thursday.

The wild winter weather has been moving up the country for the past several days, first impacting the upper South Island before shifting north.

On Tuesday, a state of emergency was declared in Kaikōura, with MetService estimating nearly 200mm of rain had fallen in 24 hours.

Hundreds of people were evacuated as riverbanks burst, causing widespread flooding, and many roads were closed throughout the region.

A heavy rain warning remains in place until 6pm Thursday for Marlborough and Canterbury between Ward and Hanmer, and southeast of the Awatere Valley, including the Kaikōura Ranges.