It then travelled southeast where it met with a cold front which caused it to intensify prior to hitting the North Island of New Zealand on 1 February.
The cyclone brought heavy rain which caused every major river in the North Island to flood.
Its winds destroyed buildings from Picton to Kaitaia, ripped up footpaths, and toppled thousands of trees.
[7] In Palmerston North, many houses lost roofs, the showgrounds main stand lost its roof, the Fitzherbert Avenue sports ground stand lost its roof, power and telegraph poles were broken, trees were uprooted, St Chad's church and hall in Longburn were destroyed, a railway settlement hut was blown over injuring its occupant, a motor upholstery and paint shop was destroyed, and numerous shop windows were blown in.
[9] The steamer John broke her moorings and was driven ashore near the Hutt River mouth.