Flights cancelled as storm hits NZ capital

SEVERE winds have cancelled regional flights in and out of Wellington as wild spring weather blows through.

DAILY TELEGRAPH - Flights to the Gold Coast, Ballina and Brisbane have been delayed or cancelled due to the effects of Cyclone Oswald. Stranded passengers in Terminal 2 at Sydney Domestic Airport. Picture: Toby Zerna

ALL regional flights into and out of the New Zealand capital have been cancelled as gale force winds sweep across the city.

A severe weather watch has been issued for Wellington, Marlborough, Gisborne and the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand as a low moves east over the North Island.

Metservice says 110km/h winds have been recorded around the capital.

Police and the Fire Service say no major incidents have yet been reported but a police spokesman told AAP Eastbourne's Marine Drive may have to close as water and debris wash over the road.

Wellington Airport will remain open on Wednesday, however, cancellations and delays are expected throughout the day as it is buffeted by 100km/h winds.

"At this stage, all regional aircraft are cancelled until the wind dies down," an airport spokeswoman told AAP.

"We're just asking passengers to check on with their airlines for their flight status."

Metservice says strong winds and rain should slowly start to ease around midday, with conditions improving into the night.

"It's still going to be wet and yucky and horrible in many places for the day," a Metservice spokesman said.

"But as the whole lump of rain that's across central New Zealand moves east it becomes a little bit less wet and yucky and horrible."

Thunderstorms have eased but could still hit the Gisborne region.

The weather cancelled the sailing of the Interislander's Aratere ferry from Wellington at 6.30am and its return from Picton at 10.30am, but other ferries were able to continue, a spokeswoman said.