An extreme weather event is no match for New Zealand’s powerful ability to give the perfect storm-related quote.
Journalists around the country worked tirelessly yesterday to cover the widespread weather chaos after severe winds tore through most of the South Island and lower North Island. With 110kph gusts reported in Christchurch and 120kph in Wellington, the storm left a trail of destruction including thousands without power, a wildfire outside Hanmer Springs, century-old trees toppled in Dunedin and roofing ripped off in Oxford. Mercifully, locals and newly minted mayors alike shared their on-the-ground reports through colourful soundbites all day long, bringing a little bit of light into a very stressful grey and gusty day for many.
Here are the most classic quotes from a day of truly wild weather in Aotearoa.
“We’re not quite wet enough, obviously.”
Eketahuna chief fire officer Max Meyer on the gale force winds and heavy rain reaching the town.
“That tree just fell down.”
An Otago University student observing a tree that just fell down on ThreeNews.
“I don’t think that’s meant to be there.”
A driver surveying dozens of downed power lines in north Canterbury on 1News.
“Fuck, this is hectic.”
That same driver, mere seconds later.
“It’s just a shame you can’t fly a kite.”
Theo Wijnsma, the owner of Featherston’s The Royal Hotel, telling RNZ that the town is quite used to strong winds.
“I noticed their roof no longer existed.”
Dunedin resident Caitlyn Thomas updating Stuff on the status of neighbour’s roof.
“Stay home, stay dry, do a bit of retail therapy.”
Newly elected Queenstown Lakes District mayor John Glover gives some sage advice to tourists.
“I went and bought a couple million dollars in windmill stocks.”
Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano reveals his portfolio to Stuff after training the team in gale force winds.
“Oh my god, that’s cooked.”
Dunedin students observing an enormous ancient tree being ripped from ground on 1News.
“A doozy.”
Earth Sciences NZ meteorologist Richard Turner characterising the wild weather event to Stuff.
“The whole thing’s pretty fuckin’ hardcore.”
A dairy farmer in North Canterbury while watching the 180kph winds rattle his shed on 1News.
“That little bit extra.”
A Miramar resident describes the 120kph winds that shattered two windows and created a wind tunnel inside her house.
“I think my weekend has just been toasted.”
Southland farmer Stuart Kent reveals the destruction of his property on Facebook Live, including “a whole line of trees fucked”.
“They don’t pay me enough to do this.”
Journalist Lloyd Burr getting blown sideways on the Wellington waterfront on ThreeNews.
