KEY POINTS:

• Cyclone Gita has barrelled into New Zealand, with seven provinces in a state of emergency: Christchurch, Buller District, Grey District, Selwyn, Westland, Tasmanand Taranaki
• The ex-tropical cyclone is causing flooding, winds of up to 140km/h and waves up to 7m
• Gita has now split into two storms - and continues to drench parts of the South Island, with up to 100mm of rain in the 24 hours to 2am
• Your region by region forecast for today

Seven provinces are under a state of emergency, about 100 tourists are trapped and hundreds of residents have been evacuated from homes after a night of chaos wrecked by ex-tropical cyclone Gita.

The massive storm has now split, with two 'eyes', centred off both coasts of the South Island, and heavy rain drenching towns.

And State Highway 1 north of Wellington, between Pukerua Bay and Paekakariki, is closed this morning as seas washed over the road.

The Met Service said many weather stations in the Canterbury High Country had recorded more than 100mm of rain in the 24 hours to 2am. Closer to the coast, Ashburton had been hit with 86mm of rain, Timaru 83mm & Christchurch 59mm.

As Gita made landfall in New Zealand roads around the country were closed, states of emergency were declared and people stranded on roofs and in cars amidst rapidly rising floodwaters.

Overnight about 100 tourists were trapped in south Westland, despite warnings to stay away. They included 42 Chinese tourists forced to spend the night sleeping in two buses in Whataroa — south of Greymouth — after State Highway 6 was closed.

Shirley Rowling, left, sits next to her friend Val A'Court and dog Monty, after they were rescued from their Brooklyn home near Riwaka. (Photo / Tim Cuff)

A further 25 people were taking refuge in the Whataroa Community Hall and more than 30 tourists were in community halls in Haast.

Westland Civil Defence spokesman Andy Thompson says plenty of people were still out driving despite the warnings.

"Short of closing the roads early, there isn't any way we can avoid this. It's disappointing that some tour companies and tour plan bus companies continue to take scheduled services — but that's their choice."

The ex-tropical cyclone made itself known quickly after making landfall yesterday afternoon, leading to Christchurch, Buller, Grey District, Selwyn, Westland, Tasman and Taranaki all declaring states of emergency.On top of the flooding, Gita brought wind gusts of up to 150km/h and swells of up to 7m.

On top of the flooding, Gita brought wind gusts of up to 150km/h and swells of up to 7m.

Rural fire chief Colin Eggers makes his way through floodwater in Riwaka. (Photo / Tim Cuff)

A Fire and Emergency spokesman said crews were called to houses where roofs had been lifted off homes and other buildings, powerlines downed, trees felled across roads and homes and businesses flooded. Many call-outs were in Taranaki, Tasman the West Coast.

Fire crews had also been called to a number of landslides, including one in Takaka, where a main road had since been completely closed off.

Late last evening heavy rain and/or strong wind warnings were in place for most of central New Zealand.

Greymouth resident Blair Buckman, 23, said the power of the storm had ripped out fences and pulled off garage doors. He watched the roof of a house being peeled off like someone was opening a tin can. Buller District Mayor Garry Howard said a state of emergency was set in place after the Red Cross and police aired concerns about the coastal town of Granity.

Waves crashing in at Rapahoe Bay, north of Greymouth. (Photo / Jason Oxenham)

At least six houses in the area were affected and residents were advised to evacuate their homes — just some of those around the regions advised to evacuate as the storm hit.

In the Westland Council area there were reports of trees down and damage to buildings and Hokitika Airport was closed for the night.

Gale-force winds hit South Westland from Hari Hari to Fox Glacier.

Yesterday 90 schools and 98 ECE services in Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast, Canterbury, Wellington and Taranaki regions were closed — affecting more than 20,000 students and pre-schoolers.

The downed powerlines meant about 4000 people were without power in Tasman district.

Dangerous Kitchen owner Yvonne Dorne said she was closing her shop in Takaka before its usual dinner service because it had lost power to all of the restaurant.

"Everything has died. Staff have been calling family and friends, they are all saying the power is out too."

Former cyclone Gita's remnants hit Wellington yesterday. (Photo / Marty Melville)

Other residents had reported that the whole town was out of power.

Air New Zealand cancelled all flights in and out of Wellington and four other centres as Cyclone Gita began unleashing heavy winds and rain.

Gusts of more than 150km/h were recorded at the Rimutaka Summit and 118km/h at Wellington Airport.

The downpour also led to record rainfalls, particularly in Kaikoura, where 194.4mm had fallen by about 7.40pm — four times more than the monthly normal, according to Niwa.

MetService expected the centre of the storm would pass over the upper South Island overnight with the worst of the weather fading by week's end.