Auckland Civil Defence has scaled back its response to Cyclone Cook, after the storm's passed to the east of the city.
There was transport chaos on Thursday afternoon as thousands left work early to escape the forecast wild weather.
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As it happened on Thursday
8:50pm Around 2000 households on Waiheke Island are off the grid, but Vector says they should be reconnected by 10pm.
7pm Aucklanders should still reconsider their Easter weekend plans if they are planning on travelling south, Civil Defence warns.
"It is still important for people thinking about heading south for Easter weekend to cancel or delay travel to the Waikato - including Coromandel - and Bay of Plenty regions," head of emergency management operations Aaron Davis says.
6:30pm The Gulf Harbour ferry has been replaced by buses.
5:34pm Cyclone Cook has largely left the Auckland region and, while there is still some rain and wind about, Auckland has escaped the worst of the weather system.
Civil Defence is now scaling back its emergency response.
4:32pm Maybe not weather-related, but a concrete spill is delaying traffic on the Southern Motorway, citybound.
4pm Traffic is starting to build up heading over the Harbour Bridge.
3pm Auckland Airport is telling travellers to allow more time to get to and from the airport as traffic starts to back up.
2:55pm A crash which blocked one northbound lane of the Harbour Bridge has now been cleared.
2:50pm Auckland Transport says all ferries except the Gulf Harbour service and train services are running on schedule. There are some delays for buses in and out of the city because of congestion.
2:30pm Progressive Enterprises and Foodstuffs, the owners of the majority of New Zealand's supermarkets, say this is a normal time for an increased number of customers considering the long Easter weekend.
Foodstuffs, which owns New World and Pak'nSave, says people are rightly following Civil Defence's advice to stock up on food.
A spokesperson says stores across the North Island and well-prepared.
"So it’s a busy day, but nothing our owner-operators can’t handle."
1:40pm Great Barrier Island has had heavy rain and some flooding. The Hunua Ranges could also experience surface flooding and high winds. Orere Point is currently isolated due to slips and Kawakawa Bay is also likely to become isolated.
1:37pm Auckland Civil Defence Head of Emergency Management Operations Aaron Davis says: "Don't take chances with the weather and consider delaying travel if you're planning to head out today. Keep an eye on weather updates, road information and if you're flying in or out of Auckland check with your airline for regular updates".
Those who are staying in Auckland, Civil Defence says it's important to have a plan to cope with the forecasted weather.
"You should know where you’re friends and family are, know where you would meet if you are separated and think about your personal safety at all times."
1:35pm Civil Defence say Cyclone Cook will be "skirting" the eastern side of Auckland which will bring brief heavy rain and wind to Waiheke Island, Great Barrier Island and the areas of Beachlands, Maraetai, Clevedon and Hunua.
It'll then head for the Bay of Plenty and Thames-Coromandel.
1:29pm NZ Post says Cyclone Cook will affect some deliveries across the country. It says the severe weather conditions have affected freight between islands.
Overnight CourierPost from Auckland to Christchurch has been delayed and delivery will be completed late Thursday or on Saturday.
CourierPost from Christchurch to Auckland was also delayed on Thursday, though was set to be delivered by early afternoon.
1:25pm Aucklanders are stocking up on supplies ahead of the storm, with reports supermarkets are packed with people.
1pm: Airbnb has initiated its disaster response plan, waiving service fees for the affected parts of the North Island until April 19.
Users can register if they urgently need a place to stay or have a place to offer.
12:20pm The Fire Service says it recieved 85 emergency 111 calls for help between 6am and midday across the country.
12:17pm Rush hour has come early for Auckland, with many trying to get to the North Shore.
12:15pm MetService says from late afternoon until the evening, there could be gusts of up to 120km/h.
12:04pm NZTA says the Harbour Bridge is less likely to be closed now with forecasted winds being downgraded. However, they say some restrictions may still apply.
11:52am Auckland Transport is putting on more busses as the peak hour traffic arrives early because of the early closure of universities, schools and workplaces.
11:20am Associate Transport Minister David Bennett has urged drivers to take care on the roads over Easter, particualry with the added difficulty of Cyclone Cook.
"Four people lost their lives on our roads over Easter last year, and their families are facing another holiday without their loved ones.
"The number of crashes on our roads is much too high, and the deaths are often avoidable. Last year, nearly 100 people died in crashes where they were not wearing a seatbelt.
"It's these sorts of simple actions that can quite literally save your life," Mr Bennett says.
11:12am: A cliff in Greenhithe has given way even before the cyclone has hit, sending earth and a large tree falling into the ocean below.
11:10am Auckland Civil Defence is warning people to postpone travel on Thursday afternoon, ahead of the Easter weekend. Cook is expected to hit between noon and 6pm on Thursday.
11:06am: The Royal Easter Show at ASB Showgrounds is still going ahead. However, the Northern Shears sheep shearing competition, which was part of the show, has been cancelled, with animal welfare cited as a concern.
11:05am Schools and early childhood centres have closed on Great Barrier Island and in parts of Auckland.
10:10am: The University of Auckland is closing on Thursday at 11am before Cyclone Cook hits. The decision was made to ensure the safety of staff and students, the university says.
"This means all lectures, tutorials, labs and other teaching events will be cancelled from 11am. Tests scheduled for today are also cancelled. If students are due to submit course work today, please do so electronically. If you cannot submit electronically please contact your course coordinator.
8:35am Fields in Kaukapakapa in north Auckland have already been flooded.
8:30am: The NZ Transport Agency warns the Auckland Harbour Bridge could close later on Thursday if winds become too strong.
Closing the bridge would be unprecedented but if predicted winds of between 130-160km/h happen, it'll be too dangerous, Auckland highway manager Brett Gliddon says.
"Closing the bridge is not a decision we will take lightly because it will have a significant impact on traffic flows throughout the city, however our first priority is safety and that's what will determine any closure," says Mr Gliddon.
"If the bridge is closed to traffic this will have a flow-on effect across the rest of the motorway and local road network, so motorists should expect long delays, and avoid travelling if they don't need to."
Alternative routes between the city and North Shore will be via SH16 and SH18.
5:30am Gerard Barrow from MetService says some areas of Auckland have had 50 to 80mm of rain in the last six hours.
"Cyclone Cook is still expected to move southwards during today and reach the western Bay of Plenty late this afternoon or early evening and that's going to bring further heavy rain with downpours and severe gale winds."
The Transport Agency is urging people to reconsider Easter travel plans.
Heading out of Auckland in any direction will be slow from around 11am on Thursday, with traffic at its worst from around 2pm.
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