Wild weather is set to ease in most areas across New Zealand today as a storm moves off the coast of Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa - but the respite is only temporary.
Heavy rain and gales lashed the country over the weekend, uprooting trees and leaving homes without power.
The rain continued across Mt Taranaki, the Tararua Ranges and Otago through Monday morning, with MetService advising people to be aware of rapidly rising rivers, possible slips, surface flooding and hazardous driving conditions in these areas.
But despite the worst of the storm having passed for now, MetService warns of more to come.
After a brief respite for most areas on Monday, heavy rain and gales are expected to return to the lower North Island and upper South Island late Tuesday and Wednesday.
The heaviest rainfall is expected over Fiordland and Westland ranges south of Otira, where a strong rain warning has been issued. A strong wind warning has also been issued for Fiordland, Southland, Otago and inland Canterbury.
Metservice has issued a severe weather watch for other parts of the South Island and lower North Island.
Another day without power for Auckland suburbs
There are still 15 suburbs without power across Auckland, after severe winds felled trees onto power lines on Saturday night.
Vector says power might not be restored to some places until Tuesday afternoon, including parts of Epsom and Mt Eden. Other areas, such as Balmoral, could have power restored Monday morning.
A Vector spokeswoman told Newshub crews worked through the night to "close off quite a few jobs", but are continuing work on a number of small jobs.
The largest single outage is to 394 households after a car hit a pole in Maraetai on Sunday night.
A smaller but more complex job requires the replacement of at least seven power poles. That job should be completed by 5pm Monday afternoon.
Newshub.
