New Zealand Endures Prolonged Storm System for Second Consecutive Day

Lightning joins dangerously high winds and torrential rain in wreaking havoc across the country.

Large areas of New Zealand, both urban and rural, remain under water as the country experiences its second day of severe storms on May 2, 2025. This photograph shows flooded farmland in Canterbury. Courtesy of Christchurch City Council

After enduring a day of storms classified by MetService as posing a risk to life, New Zealanders have awoken to more rain, continued high winds, and a new hazard—lightning strikes—as a persistent band of low pressure pummel the country.

Many parts of the South Island are under water, and a state of emergency remains in place.