Dust storm moves across the Tasman sea from Australia to NZ...

The red dust storms that came down to Sydney and other parts of New South Wales and Eastern Queensland from the Australian interior, have moved across the Tasman sea 24 hrs later. They caused havoc in Australia disrupting airlines and other transport, forcing the cancellation of race meetings in NSW and Queensland, and also causing health problems for some people.

NZ Metservice reports this morning indicated the red dust storm had reached NZ shores, albeit in a diminished state.

Weather observers noted the dust had moved in with the inclement weather front that hit most of the country and had been picked up on satelitte images. There had not been any reports of any disruption or health problems in NZ.