Selwyn District Council is asking residents on Old Tai Tapu Road, south of number 157, to voluntarily evacuate - as wild weather batters parts of the country

Orange heavy rain warnings cover Wellington, Wairarapa, Kaikoura and Canterbury - with Christchurch and Selwyn under a State of Emergency.

A Red wind warning's in force for Wellington, alongside Orange wind warnings for Marlborough and Wairarapa.

An emergency assistance centre is open at Owhiro Bay School, with roads on Wellington's south coast closed - and residents advised to stay elsewhere.