Rain and gales are battering New Zealand on Sunday as a cold front dumps downpours on the country.
"There has been rain up and down the country today, especially the west and north, with the Taranaki region seeing gusts of wind over 100km/h, and up to 100mm of rain in 12 hours in places near the mountain," MetService warns.
"There have been some flashes of lightning today, with a risk continuing for Northland, Taranaki and the West Coast."
NIWA warns rain totals above 20mm are expected across the upper North Island, with some areas reaching more than 50mm.
A photo posted to the MetService Twitter account shows a swollen steam in Northland after 15mm of rain fell in one hour around Opononi.
Heavy rain warnings are in place for the eastern Bay of Plenty ranges, Taranaki, Tongariro National Park and Westland ranges south of Otira.
Heavy rain watches have been issued for Northland, the hill country from Waitomo to Whanganui and the central high country and the Tararua Range.
A strong wind watch is in place for Auckland, Taranaki, Marlborough, Wellington and southern Wairarapa.
Tomorrow also looks like bad weather. MetService says much more of the North Island faces a chance of thunder, especially tomorrow afternoon.
