Cleanup efforts have begun in the South Island and lower North Island, which were battered by heavy winds yesterday.

The powerful gusts toppled trees onto roads, damaged property, and left tens of thousands without power.

Local states of emergency remain in place for Canterbury and Southland.

Follow 1News’ live updates of the weather events here

This morning, crews hit the street to remove fallen trees and fix damaged energy infrastructure.

Damage to a farmhouse in Culverden

Roads closed from yesterday’s weather were starting to reopen in Otago and Southland.

Caltex in Winton was using a generator to “keep the ice creams cold”, while a Four Square in Eketāhuna told 1News it was providing power services to the community through a generator.

Southland District Council described the aftermath of the weather bomb as “a real mess”.

“It’s going to take some time to clean up. There are trees down and debris obstructing roads in many areas,” it said.

Reduced fire crews were still monitoring hot spots in Kaikōura following the massive fire that started on Tuesday.

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