VIDEO AND PICTURES – Storm causes major floods in New Zealand

New Zealand has been hit by a second major storm in less than a week causing havoc in the upper North Island. The bad weather is now spreading south to the rest of the country.

The path of destruction caused by high winds and heavy rain has so far included fallen trees, downed power lines and major flooding.

Local authorities and emergency workers are on red alert across the top of the North Island with residents advised to stay indoors and stock up on food, water and batteries.

Farmers have been told to move all stock to higher ground as rivers and streams continue to burst their banks.

Federated Farmers president Don Nicolson said bad weather was always a blow to farmers, but he was grateful that they had been warned well in advance of the approaching storms.

See:

• VIDEO: Amateur footage of a tree nearly hitting a motorist
  
• VIDEO: Storm causes flooding in North Canterbury 
  
• PICTURES: New Zealand Herald pictures 
  
• PICTURES: New Zealand Herald reader pictures

See NZ flood pictures on FWiSpace including some sent in by New Zealand Farmers Weekly editor, Tim Fulton.

Have you been affected by the storms in New Zealand? Join our forums and upload your images and link up with farmers across the world or email us your pictures.