‘Mini-Tornado’ Hits Wellington as Summer Gets Off to a Rough Start

Newly appointed Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop got a very personal lesson in one of the biggest problems facing much of New Zealand’s infrastructure on Dec. 12 when a “mini tornado” tore the roof off his Hutt Valley electorate as part of a major storm which lashed most of the country. A band of low pressure swept up the country from the south, bringing thunder, lightning, torrential rain and large hail stones, causing damage and disruption on Tuesday. Flights were delayed or cancelled amid flooding in Canterbury as the storm hit. It struck the Wellington region next, causing over 2,000 properties to lose power amid heavy rain and strong winds. International and domestic flights were also disrupted, delayed or cancelled....