More than 4,500 Banks Peninsula residents spent the night without power as strong winds battered the region.

Power was cut just after 9pm Friday, according to Orion. In an update issued at 9am Saturday, the company said crews had worked as long as they safely could overnight to restore power.

“There are a lot of trees across lines and lines on the ground,” Orion said. “With the weather settled now, our repair crews have been in the area since first light and will continue to work throughout the day. We will have a helicopter flying in some of the harder-to-reach areas to assess damage.”

Residents are urged to treat all lines as live, stay well clear, and report any damage by calling Orion on 0800 363 9898.

Meanwhile, Fire and Emergency crews were kept busy responding to multiple callouts across Christchurch. Fallen trees caused widespread disruption, including in Papanui, Linwood, and along the Christchurch-Akaroa Road.

On Saturday morning, firefighters were called to a property in Linwood where a resident became trapped inside their home due to a fallen tree.

MetService said severe gale northeasterlies were forecast to reach gusts of up to 120km/h in exposed parts of Banks Peninsula.