Cars crushed after trees brought down by high winds at Massey University in Palmerston North

Cars belonging to Massey University students have been crushed after strong winds brought down trees in Palmerston North.

Footage showed large trees had been uprooted and brought down on the vehicles.

The city council’s arborists were kept busy over the weekend clearing fallen trees across the city.

Council’s contract engineer for horticulture Murray Phillips said that although the winds were strong to severe, there was less damage than would be expected due to the winds being from the west and not accompanied with rain.

“We’re not aware of any rural roads that have been blocked due to fallen trees, though there have been some tree limbs, contractors are working to get all of these removed."