March 2025 heavy rain and gales

The story so far

MetService issued watches and warnings as an active front crossed New Zealand, forecasting heavy rain and severe northwest gales for central and southern areas from early Monday.^{16 Mar 2025} The front was forecast to bring heavy rain and northwest gales to the South Island and lower North Island, with an orange heavy rain warning for Westland and up to 200mm of rain expected in some areas.^{17 Mar 2025} The storm also disrupted Air New Zealand flights.^{17 Mar 2025} In Canterbury, heavy rain and strong winds cut power to several hundred homes and blocked roads with fallen trees in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, where nearly 100mm fell over 12 hours.^{19 Mar 2025} The system then moved north towards Wellington, and an orange heavy rain warning was issued for the Wairoa district, with 70 to 110mm expected and potential flooding.^{19, 20 Mar 2025}

Latest

MetService has issued an orange heavy rain warning for the Wairoa district, with 70 to 110mm of rain expected.^{20 Mar 2025} A heavy rain watch is also in place for southern Gisborne, from Tolaga Bay southwards, and authorities have warned of potential flooding and difficult travel.^{20 Mar 2025}

Key moments

1. 16 Mar 2025MetService issues watches and warnings as active front crosses the country
2. 17 Mar 2025Orange heavy rain warning issued for Westland; up to 200mm forecast
3. 17 Mar 2025Storm begins disrupting Air New Zealand flights
4. 19 Mar 2025Power outages and fallen trees hit Christchurch and Banks Peninsula
5. 19 Mar 2025Nearly 100mm of rain falls on Banks Peninsula in 12 hours
6. 20 Mar 2025Orange heavy rain warning issued for Wairoa district with flooding risk

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.