A fallen tree in Hawke's Bay on Tuesday. (File photo) Photo: RNZ/ Anusha Bradley
As rare red level wind warnings are put in place for parts of the country, how can you prepare for Thursday's forecasted gusts?
MetService has warned gusts of up to 150 kmph could occur in Canterbury, Wellington and Wairarapa.
Firefighters were already battling to extinguish fires which broke out during high winds on Tuesday in Kaikōura and Hawke's Bay.
The first warning - for the Canterbury High Country - comes into effect at 1am.
Wellington and Wairarapa's warning comes into effect at 8am, and for Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains at 10am.
At this stage the warnings were in effect until late Thursday afternoon.
So how can you prepare and protect yourself from high winds?
Speaking to RNZ's Afternoons, Fire and Emergency NZ's assistant national commander Ken Cooper described the forecast conditions to be "extremely challenging".
He said the mixture of the high winds and high temperatures could raise the fire risk.
It was really important people did not light fires or set off fireworks, and anyone who had lit a fire over the last week should make sure it had been properly extinguished, Cooper said.
There was a total fire and fireworks ban in place for Canterbury, Marlborough, Wellington and Hawke's Bay.
"Don't light fires outdoors on the East Coast until after Labour weekend," Cooper said.
Fire and Emergency's assistant national commander Ken Cooper. (File photo) Photo: Supplied
Another important thing people could do to prepare was making sure anything loose was tied down or secure, such as trampolines and outdoor furniture, he added.
There could be a risk of fallen power lines and if the power did go out for anyone they should make sure all powerpoints are turned off before power was restored.
Cooper said the areas he was most concerned about on Thursday were the East Coast, Tairāwhiti and Marlborough down to Canterbury.
"The big concern really is the extreme conditions tomorrow - wind and high temperatures especially."
He encouraged people to stay vigilant and call 111 if they anyone felt unsafe.
"We're here to help."
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