Motorists in central Auckland have been warned that road closures caused by fallen debris will remain in place until early next week.
On Thursday, a heavy panel from the central Auckland Victopia building near the intersection of Victoria St West and Nelson St was torn off and thrown around in the high winds.
"The area around the building has been cordoned off as a precaution, while an engineer comes in to assess the building and the debris are cleared," police told Newshub.
Victoria St West between Nelson St and Hobson St, Nelson St between Victoria St and Fanshawe St and the eastbound lane on Victoria St West into Nelson St are all closed.
An inspection on Friday morning found more panels were loose and Auckland Council won't open the road until pedestrians and motorists were safe.
"Our role obviously is to ensure public safety. We want to be ensured [the panels will be fixed] so first, no one is at risk, and secondly, we can see the road opened as soon as it is safe," said Auckland Council's acting general manager of building consents Sally Grey.
"[The panels] are pretty heavy and I think when anything falls from a height, there is a real danger to people below it, hence the road being shut."
Grey said the panels will need to be secured before the roads are reopened.
At 2:40pm, AT tweeted that the closures would remain until early next week.
AT said on Friday morning that motorists heading into the city centre should be prepared for significant delays. Google Maps' traffic feature showed the area as congested from 7am.
Some buses will have to take detours around the area. Those affected include the 75, 22, 24, 106, and InnerLink bus services. Multiple bus stops in the affected area are also closed.
The panel came off the building as Auckland was pummelled by poor weather on Wednesday. No one was injured.
Unrelated to the central city road closures, Stanley Bay ferry services have been cancelled on Friday morning due to a vessel breakdown. Those affected can instead take the 806 bus route to Devonport to connect to ferry services there.
Newshub.
