A few problems linger, despite a Strong Wind watch being lifted for Canterbury last night

Wind reached speeds of up to 160 kilometres and around 20 millimetres of rain fell in just two hours in Christchurch.

Lines company Orion worked around the clock to restore power to about four thousand homes.

About 50 remain in the dark this morning, in southern New Brighton, Robinsons Bay and Le Bons Bay.

MetService says the south westerly is continuing to move up the country - with coastal Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa next in its path.