Severe Weather Disrupts New Year’s Eve Plans

Tēnā koutou whānau. Severe weather is sweeping across Aotearoa as 2025 comes to a close – and it’s already forcing major changes to New Year’s Eve celebrations.

The Palmerston North City Council has cancelled its planned New Year’s Eve event, including entertainment and fireworks, due to forecast gale‑force winds and dangerous conditions. The announcement was made as MetService issued strong wind warnings with gusts expected up to 120 km/h in exposed areas around the lower North Island. As a result, organisers decided it was too unsafe to go ahead with the community event that many families look forward to at the end of the year.

This cancellation comes amid a larger weather event hitting large parts of the country – an active low‑pressure system bringing heavy rain, widespread gales and rough conditions. Orange warnings for strong winds and heavy rain cover much of the North Island and parts of the South Island, with central and northern communities experiencing power outages, fallen trees and hazardous travel conditions.

More than 10,000 homes have been reported without power in some areas due to trees and branches bringing down lines. In the Horowhenua area, residents have been asked to conserve water while crews work to restore utility services amid the wild conditions.

MetService warns that in many areas – especially around the Manawatū, Horowhenua, Kapiti Coast and Taranaki regions – winds gusting around 120 km/h are possible in exposed places, and heavy rain may lead to surface flooding and difficult driving conditions.

With these intense conditions likely to continue through New Year’s Eve and into early 2026, whānau planning celebrations are being urged to keep a keen eye on weather updates, consider alternate indoor gatherings, and stay safe if travelling. It’s a reminder that nature can have the final say on festive plans – and that safety comes first during severe weather.

From all of us at Radio Waatea, stay safe whānau, look out for your neighbours, and keep up‑to‑date with the latest forecasts as we welcome the new year.

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