Hundreds of flights cancelled as storm hammers New Zealand's capital

• Wellington Airport cancelled most flights on Friday with evening services also affected; Air New Zealand suspended all domestic flights to and from the capital
• Wellington Electricity reported 4,000 customers lost power with restoration possibly taking until mid-next week, after already restoring power to 3,000 earlier
• MetService issued severe weather warnings for winds up to 120 kph and heavy rain, with emergency services responding to flooded roads and landslides in Lower Hutt

Summary: Storm Disrupts New Zealand Capital, Cancels Hundreds of Flights

A severe storm struck central New Zealand on Friday, June 26, causing significant disruptions to air travel and infrastructure in Wellington, the nation's capital.

Key Impacts:

Air Travel: Approximately 200 flights were cancelled in and out of Wellington Airport, with Air New Zealand suspending all domestic flights to and from the capital, as well as all services from New Plymouth airport. Most evening flights were also cancelled, though operations were expected to resume when winds subside.

Weather Conditions: MetService issued multiple severe weather warnings as a low-pressure system brought wind gusts up to 120 kph (74 mph), with overnight readings exceeding 150 kph in some areas. Heavy rain accompanied the windstorm.

Power Outages: Wellington Electricity reported 4,000 customers without power, after having already restored service to approximately 3,000 customers earlier. The utility warned additional outages could occur as wind speeds peaked during evening hours, with full restoration potentially taking several days into mid-next week.

Infrastructure Damage: Emergency services responded to flooding and two landslides in Lower Hutt, located northeast of Wellington, with multiple road closures reported.

Market Implications:

The storm's impact on Air New Zealand operations represents significant revenue disruption, though the airline prioritized safety protocols. Infrastructure damage and extended power restoration timelines may affect regional economic activity and utility company operations in the coming days. The severity of the weather event highlights ongoing climate-related operational risks for aviation and utility sectors in the region.