Electricity provider Powerco says extreme weather has downed power lines in Taranaki, cutting power to 11,000 homes. Powerco spokesperson Phil Marsh says winds of up to 130 kilometres per hour downed trees, which brought down overhead lines across the province. He says staff are working to restore power but it is likely about 8000 homes will be without power overnight on Sunday. Areas affected include Kaponga, Kapuni, Opunake, Okato, Oakura, Omata, the eastern suburbs of New Plymouth, Waitara and Inglewood. Hundreds of travellers have had their plans disrupted with flights and ferries in and out of Wellington cancelled as severe wind gusts of up to 165 kilometres an hour strike the capital. MetService has issued a heavy rain warning for Hawke's Bay, snow warnings for North Canterbury, and strong-wind warnings for Whanganui, Wairarapa, Marlborough and Wellington.
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