Yes it is a fact of New Zealand life, we do suffer (or enjoy) extremes in weather. What makes New Zealand different from land locked continents is that our islands are exposed to the sea and both islands have high mountain ranges running down the centre. The mountains cause a buildup of clouds causing a high air pressure. Firstly causing high rain fall on the western sides of the islands and then as the clouds travel across the mountains and down the eastern slopes high wind is created. Weather conditions in new Zealand can change very rapidly from sunshine and cloudless skies to rain and heavy wind all in a matter of hours. Rural New Zealanders are generally well prepared for these extreme changes of weather conditions. Extra food, generators, wood stoves which provide heat and hot water. Most rural farmers are prepared to be isolated for weeks. Flooding and heavy rainfall often causes landslips which close roads at any time of the year. geologically speaking New Zealand is a young country and apart from the sea cliffs and in the mountain ranges solid rock is rare and most roads are built on a base of expansive clay called papa. Papa moves like jelly when wet and cracks and breaks away when it is dry.