Wellington- Swathes of New Zealand were pummeled by dangerous winds for the second time in a week on Thursday, with howling gales cancelling hundreds of flights, causing electricity blackouts and forcing school closures.

The gales were worst in the lower North Island, where the capital Wellington is located, and in parts of the South Island, including the city of Christchurch. The national forecaster MetService issued rare “red” wind warnings, the highest level of alert, for several regions.

No deaths or serious injuries were reported. When a different weather system battered the country on Monday, a Wellington man was struck and killed by a falling tree branch.

The havoc on Thursday also disrupted planned rallies for health and education workers in what was likely the country’s bigges

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