A boost for the South Island's hydro lakes

Strong winds and rain over the weekend helped ease the need for hydro generation by Meridian's Waitaki River power stations.

Recent inflows have seen storage at Lake Pukaki nudge upwards, while Lake Manapouri storage is above average for the first time since June.

Meridian's Chris Ewers says it's a battle of inches at the moment, but things are heading in the right direction.

He adds that wind farms have been generating near the top of their ranges over the last week too.