UPDATE 3.51PM: A number of roads remain closed in the South Island due to Tuesday's storm, while there are restrictions on others.

By Wednesday afternoon, motorists are the most disrupted by the storm as large swathes of South Island's roads remain closed.

SOUTH ISLAND ROAD CLOSURES:
* SH60 - Riwaka to Takaka Hill
* SH73 - Jacksons to Kumara Junction
* SH79 - Geraldine
* SH1 - Mangamaunu to Clarence, Peketa to Goose Bay, Hundalee (slip)
* Route 70 Inland Kaikoura Road
* SH8, from Alexandra to Milton, has one lane closed due to flooding.

In the North Island, the section of SH1 that runs from Pukerua Bay to Paekakariki, north of Wellington, is down to one lane after part of the sea wall was washed away and debris washed up onto the road.

Up to seven flights out of Wellington airport have been cancelled with more being delayed, while more than 12,000 homes and businesses are without power in Taranaki and Manawatu-Wanganui.