MetService is defending its Cyclone Vaianu warnings, saying it still believes it could have been deadly. 

It's now entirely off-shore and moving away from New Zealand, with all watches and warnings lifted.  

Before it arrived, forecasters warned of 'life-threatening' winds and flooding. 

Meteorologist John Law says the winds were incredibly strong - and some places had more than a months' worth of rainfall. 

"We never want our forecasts to be overdramatic or over-hyped, but we want to give people enough time to prepare and see what the future might have."

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