Red wind warnings issued as wild weather hits New Zealand

Thursday 23 October 2025 · 4 outlets · 5 reports · updated Thu 23 Oct 2025, 7:59am

In this story MetService

Red wind warnings have been issued for Canterbury, Wellington, and Wairarapa as life-threatening gale force winds hit the country. A state of emergency is in place for Canterbury, and numerous flights have been cancelled. Residents have been urged to stay home and avoid travel due to the severe conditions.

How they headlined it

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1. Otago Daily TimesThu 23 Oct 2025, 4:30am

   Flights cancelled, 200kmh winds as wild weather hits (opens in new tab)

2. RNZThu 23 Oct 2025, 4:56am

   Live weather: Strong wind and rain warnings for much of NZ, rare red level wind warning for parts of South Island (opens in new tab)

   • Everything you need to know about today's weather (opens in new tab) Thu 23 Oct 2025, 4:56am
3. The PressThu 23 Oct 2025, 5:00am

   Branches, firewood could ‘become missiles’ as ferocious winds set to hit Canterbury, Marlborough (opens in new tab)

4. StuffThu 23 Oct 2025, 7:59am

   Flying today? It’s going to be bumpy. What you need to know as wild weather hits (opens in new tab)