Gale force winds from an uncommon direction are causing issues for properties and motorists in both islands this afternoon.

New Plymouth has had gale south easterlies gusting over 100km/h causing delays for flights at the airport.

Our local reporter Greg Taylor says high winds have damaged a self storage building.  A urea truck was also blown off the road at Mokau, an hour north of New Pymouth.

“Wind bursts” have torn roofs off houses in Picton as high winds and heavy rains continue to lash the country.

The strong winds follow heavy rain overnight which brought flooding and slips to much of the top half of the North Island, particularly in Waikato and Bay of Plenty, closing several roads.

The roofs of three houses in the Picton suburb of Waikawa have been blown off by what the fire service described as a “small tornado”.

Emergency services were called by a resident whose house was damaged by strong winds described as a tornado at about 10am.

Fire Service southern communications spokesman John Goodliffe said fire crews found three roofs had been blown off houses into neighbouring properties.

They worked together with builders and police to waterproof the houses with tarpaulins, he said.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz with NZHerald.co.nz