In the North Island, Red Wind Warnings are in place for Wellington and southern Wairarapa.
There are extensive public transport and flight cancellations.
Air New Zealand says it's already cancelled almost 100 flights today.
CEO Nikhil Ravishankar says told Mike Hosking that it will only operate flights if it's safe to do so.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.