Authorities say people affected by today's ferocious winds should stay cautious into the night

Red Wind Warnings have been lifted for Canterbury, Southland, Stewart Island and Clutha - and is expiring in Wellington and Wairarapa, after passing thorough a downgrade to Orange.

A Civil Defence Centre's opened in Greymouth, where some households have run out of water because of treatment plant issues.

People in Clutha are also being asked to conserve water.

Tens of thousands of properties still don't have power - including in Canterbury, Wairarapa, Manawatu-Whanganui , Marlborough and Southland.

Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell says the response has been very good, but we're not through it yet, but he expects more issues to be resolved by the end of the day.

Fire and Emergency Canterbury Manager Brad Mosby says a large fire in Hanmer Spring is contained, but the blazes near Kaikoura are still a concern, with one flaring up - and another fire has sparked near Waiau.

The West Coast is still isolated by several road closures, but flights have resumed in Wellington.

Metlink train services are cancelled for the day, with some bus replacements.