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The worst of New Zealand's extreme weather has passed, and cleanup is underway

Metservice, the New Zealand government's weather forecaster, said that most severe weather warnings in New Zealand had been lifted by Friday.

Wellington, New Zealand's capital, was hit with the strongest winds it has seen in over a decade. Schools and offices were closed and flights cancelled. In the Canterbury region in the middle South Island, heavy rainfall caused flooding and landslides. A few people were forced to evacuate.

As there is still flooding on the surface and road closures, both Christchurch City and Selwyn District are in a state of emergency. Selwyn District Council stated in a post on Facebook that the worst weather is over.

Wellington International Airport has reopened. However, local news organisation Stuff reported that some planes have not been able to land. Images posted on local news websites showed debris and rocks littering the road near the south coast of the city and the waves breaking over the seawalls.

Wellington Region Emergency Management Office posted on Facebook that they continue to urge people to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. (Reporting and editing by Matthew Lewis in Wellington)

(source: Reuters)