Lara Zijl A powerful windstorm battered the upper North Island over the weekend, leaving thousands without electricity, delaying transport, and uprooting trees from Auckland through the Coromandel Peninsula and western Bay of Plenty. Line crews and emergency services worked through hazardous conditions as the region faced gusts exceeding 120 km/h, triggering widespread disruption.
Power Outages and Infrastructure Damage
At the storm’s peak, more than 13,000 customers—mostly in the Coromandel Peninsula and western Bay of Plenty—lost power as high winds downed trees and brought down power poles and lines in multiple regions. By Monday morning, around 1,700 homes remained without supply as restoration efforts continued.
Whangamatā experienced one of the largest outages, affecting over 4,800 customers after a 600-metre section of transmission line was felled by wind-driven debris. In Katikati and Aongatete, broken poles and fallen trees on Wairoa Rd left over 2,700 houses in the dark, while similar incidents were reported throughout Auckland. Extra repair teams and contractors joined Powerco and Vector’s restoration drives, but crews warned some homes might be without power for another night.
Emergency Callouts and Weather Impact
Fire and Emergency Services across the region responded to dozens of urgent callouts:
- Fallen trees blocking roads and driveways
- Arcing and downed power lines threatening safety
- Roofs and garden sheds lifted away
- Trampolines and outdoor furniture blown considerable distances
MetService reported wind gusts of up to 120 km/h throughout the upper North Island, with Mahia Peninsula and Manukau Heads recording peak gusts. Strong winds battered Auckland’s Harbour Bridge, resulting in brief closures and significant bus and ferry delays. Flights in and out of Napier and Dunedin were cancelled, and multiple weather watches and warnings remain in force as further squally gusts are forecast for eastern and southern districts.
Community Advice and Ongoing Recovery
Officials have urged residents to avoid downed lines, report outages to their electricity provider, and prepare for the possibility of overnight power loss. Motorists are advised to take extra care on exposed roads, particularly in areas with fresh debris or damaged traffic signals.
MetService and emergency agencies continue to monitor wind conditions. The cleanup effort is expected to stretch for several days as utility crews replace broken infrastructure and communities work to clear treefalls and repair property damage.
Summary
Widespread strong winds have left a trail of power outages and disruptions across the North Island, with the Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, and Auckland most severely affected. Line crew responses, emergency callouts, and local resilience have been tested by one of the most powerful windstorms of the spring, highlighting the importance of ongoing preparedness for severe weather events in New Zealand.
