Branches closed due to severe weather

Due to the extreme weather affecting many parts of the country, our Wellington and Wairarapa branches will be closed today. A red weather warning is in place for the region, and we want to prioritise everyone’s safety.

Our Southern branches are also closed, including Canterbury where a state of local emergency has been declared. However, our team remains available by phone – please don’t hesitate to reach out to your coordinator or local office if you need support.

We know this can be a stressful time, and we’re here for you. Please take care and follow the latest advice from NZ Civil Defence:

Avoid non-essential travel in affected areas, and take extreme caution when driving or walking outdoors.

There have been power outages reported across the country as a result of this weather event. Please charge your devices to prepare for possible power outages, and check with your local power company for the latest information on outages and restoration times.

During and after the storm, the following precautions should be taken:

• Treat all fallen power lines as live.

• If the power goes off at your property, turn off all appliances including cookers and heaters so that when power comes back on there will be no risk from unattended cooking, items left close to heaters etc.

• Use torches rather than candles if possible. If you must use candles, keep them away from curtains and other flammable objects. Never leave a candle burning in an empty room.

• If you are using camp cookers or alternative forms of heating, always make sure they are on a stable surface. Do not use outdoor cooking or heating equipment inside.

Put safety first. Don’t take any chances.

If life, health or property is in danger, call 111 immediately.

Stay up to date with the latest weather information at www.metservice.com

For advice on how to prepare for dangerous winds and severe weather visit getready.govt.nz/emergency/storms

Emergency preparedness accessible formats: https://getready.govt.nz/alternate-formats

For local emergency updates, check your council’s website, as well as your local Civil Defence Emergency Management Group’s website and social media. Find them here: https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/find-your-civil-defence...