Flooding at the Kaikokopu Stream Bridge in Bay of Plenty. Photo: Supplied / Waka Kotahi
Power has been restored to Bay of Plenty properties after trees in lines and damaged equipment caused issues earlier on Wednesday.
High winds and thunderstorms moved across the region overnight with about 260 properties without power on Wednesday morning.
By Wednesday afternoon, Powerco's website indicated power had been restored in Tauranga but there were still just over 100 properties without power in Te Puke and about 27 were still affected in Pukehina.
But by Wednesday evening Powerco's website indicated only a handful of properties were still without power in the region.
Meanwhile, due to flooding at the Kaikokopu Stream Bridge, State Highway 2 would remain closed overnight to light vehicles in Pongakawa between Kaikokopu Road and Wilson Road South.
Motorists are asked to follow the detour.
Prior to high tide around mid-morning, NZTA said water levels would take some time to recede.
The detour for light vehicles eastbound: Right on Wilson Road South, left on Old Coach Road, left on Maniatutu Road, right on SH2. Reverse for westbound light vehicles.
Heavy vehicles can still use SH2.
SH2 PAENGAROA, BAY OF PLENTY - FLOODING - 9:25AM
— NZ Transport Agency - Waikato & Bay of Plenty (@nztawbop) June 10, 2025
Due to bridge flooding, SH2 is CLOSED to light vehicles between Kaikokopu Rd and Wilson Rd South.
Light vehicle detour - EB: Right onto Wilson Rd south, left on Old Coach Rd, left on Maniatutu Rd, back onto SH2. Reverse for WB. pic.twitter.com/hB3l5C5Rly
The highway was earlier closed at Matatā due to a downed tree but has now reopened under a temporary speed limit, NZ Transport Agency says.
MetService says strong gusts peaked at 50 kilometres an hour last night.
A heavy rain watch for the Bay of Plenty region was lifted at 6am.
MetService says there will be another round of thunderstorms today due to the low pressure system over the Tasman Sea.
The low pressure system over the Tasman Sea has another serving of squally thunderstorms for us today. ⛈
— MetService (@MetService) June 10, 2025
This brings the risk of heavy falls, strong wind gusts and hail to western parts of the country pic.twitter.com/fX6zYJflk0
Meanwhile north of Wellington, a stretch of State Highway 58 was closed by flooding after heavy rain on Wednesday evening.
Surface flooding is slowing traffic around the region, worsening the effects of rush hour.
In the South Island, State Highway 8 has reopened between Fairlie and Twizel in Canterbury after icy conditions this morning.
The Transport Agency warned there would be more snow and ice in coming days and further travel disruption was possible throughout the Mackenzie Country.
Arthur's Pass and Porters Pass were both under road snowfall warnings which expired at 9am. Around 1cm of snow is expected on both above 900 metres and after that there will be rain.
