NEW ZEALAND - GITA TRAVEL CHAOS - AIR NZ CANCELS FLIGHTS IN FIVE CITIES

20 February 2018

Cyclone Gita is barrelling towards NZ and is due to make landfall this afternoon. The Category 2 tropical cyclone is expected to unleash flooding, winds up to 140km/h and waves up to 7m. Heavy rain and/or strong wind warnings are in place for most of central New Zealand including Wellington, Whanganui, Taranaki, Nelson, Buller, Marlborough (including Kaikoura Coast), Westland and the Canterbury high country. Flights and trains have been cancelled, and SH1, north and south of Kaikoura, is closed. When the worst will hit in Christchurch, Nelson and West Coast.

Air New Zealand has cancelled all flights in and of Wellington and four other centres as Cyclone Gita starts packing a punch with heavy winds and rain. The airline has cancelled all Capital services from 2.45pm today through until midnight as well as those to and from Hokitika, Nelson (from 12pm), New Plymouth (from 11am) and Queenstown.