Severe weather brings wind and rain to South Island and lower North Island

Monday 20 October 2025 · 5 outlets · 5 reports · updated Mon 20 Oct 2025, 7:14pm

In this story MetService

Gale-force winds and heavy rain have caused power outages, flight cancellations, and road blockages across the South Island and parts of the lower North Island. Multiple slips have blocked a small West Coast community. MetService warns that a second significant weather system is forecast for later this week.

How they headlined it

7h

9:53am12:23pm7:14pm

1. NZ HeraldMon 20 Oct 2025, 9:53am

   Gusts up to 90km/h lash South Island as front moves north bringing more wind and rain (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsMon 20 Oct 2025, 10:38am

   Flights cancelled, power outages as severe gales lash South Island (opens in new tab)

   • Heavy rain, severe gales trigger widespread warnings across NZ (opens in new tab) Mon 20 Oct 2025, 10:38am
3. The Post via The PressMon 20 Oct 2025, 12:23pm

   Wind, power outages and slips as severe weather arrives in South Island (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Press (opens in new tab)

4. RNZMon 20 Oct 2025, 7:14pm

   Power outages, flights canned as strong wind and rain hit (opens in new tab)