Auckland recorded more than a months' worth of rain in just 10 hours overnight Monday and a major deluge of heavy rain and lightning hammered the region.
Residents in Northland and Auckland were urged to take shelter on Monday morning as the severe thunderstorm travelled down the North Island.
Roads were submerged, houses and businesses flooded and tow trucks were kept busy rescuing submerged cars.
Several schools were also forced to close due to high surface flooding.
Below is an assortment of pictures captured on Monday.
