Flights cancelled, ‘mega strike’ disrupted as dangerous winds hit New Zealand

Large parts of New Zealand were battered by dangerous winds for the second time in a week on Thursday with powerful gusts forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights widespread power outages and school closures news agency AP reportedThe strongest winds struck the lower North Island mdash home to the capital Wellington mdash and parts of the South Island including Christchurch prompting the national forecaster MetService to issue rare ldquoredrdquo wind warnings its highest alert level for multiple regionsWhile no deaths or serious injuries were reported authorities said the situation was severe Earlier in the week a Wellington man was killed by a falling tree branch when another storm system swept through the country AP reportedThe storm also disrupted planned rallies by health and education workers part of what was expected to be New Zealandrsquos largest industrial strike in decades More than 1 lakh workers represented by four major unions walked off the job for four hours after talks with the government over pay and working conditions broke downTransport chaos as winds reach 230 kmhMore than 200 flights across New Zealand were cancelled on Thursday as parts of the country experienced winds of 140ndash160 kmh 87ndash100 mph with gusts in some remote parts of the South Island reaching 230 kmh 143 mph AP reportedTens of thousands of homes lost power while fallen trees and debris caused extensive damage mdash tearing off roofs and even toppling shipping containers at Dunedin port Several highways were closed and flooding on the West Coast of South Island cut off access to some communitieslsquoMega strikersquo rallies hit by weatherThe wild weather forced the cancellation of several strike rallies planned by teachers doctors and nurses though union leaders confirmed that workers were still on strike even where demonstrations were called offThousands still marched in Auckland and Hamilton while smaller rallies took place in towns less affected by the stormHospitals and emergency departments remained open but the national health agency urged the public to seek medical help only for emergencies In Nelson medical staff returned to work temporarily after high winds knocked out power at the local hospitalMinisters of New Zealandrsquos centreright coalition government had criticised the strike as ldquopolitically motivatedrdquo However union leaders rejected the claim stating that similar actions had also taken place under the previous centreleft governmentAround half of the striking workers were teachers while others included doctors dentists nurses social workers and allied health professionals Their key demands included better pay improved staffing levels and safer working conditionsThe industrial action comes amid sharp government spending cuts and a surge in New Zealanders emigrating mdash particularly medical professionals moving to Australia where salaries are higher and living costs lowerWinds expected to ease FridayBy Thursday night several major highways remained closed and residents in parts of the South Island were on alert for potential river flooding Authorities said the winds were expected to ease by Friday but urged caution for travellersFire and fireworks bans remained in place across much of the country as strong winds had fanned wildfires during both of this weekrsquos storms Firefighters were still struggling to contain several blazes by Thursday nightMeteorologists noted that New Zealandrsquos southern latitude and mountainous terrain often combine to produce extreme weather events throughout the yearWith AP inputs