The New Zealand government has declared a State of Emergency for Christchurch and the Selwyn district in Canterbury.
Wellington is under an orange level wind warning with New Zealand’s weather bureau, the MetService, stating winds were slowly easing but could still cause damage to trees, powerlines and make driving difficult.
Power has been cut to thousands of properties across Wellington, Wairarapa and Manawatuū.
All flights in and out of the capital have been cancelled.
Cook Strait ferry sailings have been cancelled until at least Friday afternoon.
Amateur Radio operators in Australia (VK), New Zealand (ZL), Hawaii (KH6/7) and the Pacific islands should keep the amateur radio emergency frequencies clear and not operate within +/- 10 kHz of the IARU Region 3 Emergency Frequencies.
Amateur stations are advised to monitor 3.600, 7.110, 14.300, 18.160 and 21.360 MHz.
– With Radio New Zealand International via shortwave.
