4:45pm Update

Gales are now affecting a number of main centres right across New Zealand.

Winds are gale force in Invercargill, Queenstown, Dunedin, Timaru, Christchurch, Kaikoura, Wellington, Napier and East Cape with gusts between 80 and 100km/h.

Earlier today gusts of 160km/h blasted the Rimutaka Ranges but they have eased a little to 125km/h.

The winds will ease in most places tonight.

Tomorrow is looking far more settled across the country as the spring storm moves quickly out into the Pacific. Another blast of strong winds is expected to return on Tuesday. 

Earlier update:

The Weather Watch Centre has issued a travel warning due to hurricane force winds on the hills around Wellington and Wairarapa.

Winds of 130km/h and gusting to 160km/h will make travel over the Rimutaka Ranges dangerous.

Gales in Wellington are gusting to about 110km/h and motorists are advised to drive with care.

The strong winds, caused by a fast moving spring storm, will ease later this afternoon or evening.