Firefighters are battling a scrub fire near Dunedin that's sent a plume of smoke over the city and closed part of the motorway.
They say an area of about 2500 square metres was in flames when they got there, being fanned by the strong winds.
Two crews are still getting on top of the situation.
The gales have also brought down power lines and trees at Takaka and Collingwood.
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