A red wind warning will come into effect tomorrow. Photo: RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon
Parks and public facilities are being closed, commuter transport faces some severe disruptions, and several big events are being affected by the ongoing risk of sever wind gusts in many parts of the country.
A red wind warning will come into effect on Thursday for Wellington, Wairarapa south of Carterton, and Canterbury. An orange strong wind warning is in place for Wairarapa north of Carterton.
The warnings are kicking in first for the South Island, from 1am Thursday in the Canterbury High Country, and then in Wellington and parts of Wairarapa from 8am. MetService has warned of a threat to life from flying items and falling trees.
Wellington closures
All major council facilities in Wellington will be closed tomorrow, and public transport services reduced, as authorities urge people to avoid travelling .
All Wellington City Council facilities, including libraries, recreation centres, pools, community centres, Wellington zoo, and Begonia House at the Botanic Gardens will be shut due to the warning. The council's Emergency Operations Centre had been activated.
Zealandia wildlife sanctuary in Karori, including the information centre and cafe, will also be shut.
A Wellington City Council spokesperson said the council was asking people not to put out their rubbish, though there will still be one running in the suburbs where it has been scheduled. "If you don't need to put your rubbish out, please don't."
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra concert - Affirmation - which was to take place at 6.30pm on Thursday has been cancelled. Those who purchased tickets from NZSO will receive a credit, but can request a full refund, or choose to donate the value of their ticket to the NZSO Foundation. Those who purchased tickets from Ticketmaster will receive a full refund.
Victoria University of Wellington is closed tomorrow. On-campus exams are postponed.
Trains cancelled, flights may be disrupted
Trains in and out of Wellington have been cancelled between 8 and 6 pm. Between those times, trains from the Hutt Valley and Kāpiti will have bus replacements. The Melling and Johnsonville lines won't have bus replacements.
All Wairarapa services are cancelled and no buses will replace trains, all route 200 bus services in Wairarapa are cancelled for the day. Services from Kāpiti, Hutt Valley, Melling and Johnsonville Lines which terminate at Wellington Station before 8am will continue to operate. These are expected to resume after 6 pm.
The Eastbourne ferry service won't run for the whole day.
A Metlink spokesperson said other bus services around the city will continue to operate while it is safe to do so.
A spokesperson for Wellington Airport says travellers should check regularly with their airlines, warning flights may be disrupted.
Air New Zealand chief operating officer Alex Marren said the airline was offering flexibility for those travelling to and from Wellington, Christchurch or Dunedin.
"Based on the latest forecasts, we're expecting disruption to a number of services tomorrow. We'd like to thank customers in advance for their patience and understanding as our teams work hard to get everyone to their destinations safely."
An Interislander spokesperson said at this stage, the fleet is operating as normal tomorrow.
"We are monitoring the situation closely, but at this stage we do not anticipate any weather-related cancellations to the ferries."
Strike goes ahead
Several unions says the mega strike will go ahead tomorrow, however the plans for some rallies may change due to the severe weather forecasts.
Teachers, nurses and thousands of other workers are all expected to strike, in one of the biggest labour actions in more than four decades.
The union for senior doctors says outdoor rallies in Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin have been cancelled, but rallies will still go ahead in other cities.
The PPTA says the strike cannot be cancelled, but some of the actions are being reviewed due to weather.
Christchurch park closures
As a precautionary measure, Christchurch City Council said it would be keeping a number of parks closed tomorrow during the red wind warning.
These include:
- Christchurch Botanic Gardens Te Māra Huaota o Waipapa, including the Armagh Street and Riccarton Avenue car parks
- Mona Vale
- The Groynes
- Bottle Lake Forest
- Spencer Park
- Horseshoe Lake Dog Park
- Urumau Reserve
- Pony Point in Cass Bay
- Victoria Park, including Tawharanui Trail, Latta's Spur Track and The Harry Ell Walkway
- Diamond Harbour's Coastal Cliffs Track
Fireworks ban
A total fire and fireworks ban is in place for Canterbury, Marlborough, Wellington and Hawke's Bay.
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