High winds see six Air NZ flights return to Auckland

Six Air New Zealand flights had to return to Auckland today due to high winds in Wellington and the weather in Christchurch and Queenstown.

It comes amid heavy rain and severe northwest gales for much of the South Island and parts of the lower North Island, with MetService issuing a raft of weather watches and warnings.

An Air New Zealand spokesperson said the flights impacted were: NZ439, NZ481, NZ551, NZ623, NZ547 and NZ635.

"All customers will be rebooked on the next available service. We thank them for their understanding and patience."

The spokesperson said many flights from Wellington had been cancelled due to high winds.

"Customers will be rebooked onto the next available service by our team, or will have the ability to rebook themselves through the Air New Zealand app," they said.

"Many customers travelling this evening from Wellington were also sent a proactive message this afternoon letting them know their flight could be disrupted due to the forecast weather this evening, offering the flexibility to change their flight to another day at no cost, and this could be done through the Air New Zealand app or website."

An orange strong wind warning is in place for Marlborough Sounds, Kaikōura ranges and Kaikōura coast, Wellington and Wairarapa south of Masterton, and Canterbury High Country until tomorrow morning.

MetService said severe northwest gales gusting 130km/h in exposed places could be expected for Marlborough Sounds, Kaikōura ranges and Kaikōura coast, along with Wellington and Wairarapa south of Masterton.

The Canterbury High Country could expect severe northwest gales with localised damaging gusts of up to 150km/h in exposed places.

A strong wind watch is in place for Wairarapa including the Tararua District from about Masterton northwards and Hawke's Bay south of Hastings, Marlborough apart from the Sounds, Kaikōura ranges and Kaikōura coast, and Canterbury Plains and Banks Peninsula until tomorrow morning.