The top of the North Island was last night battered by what is said to be one of the windiest nights of the year, however, the deep low that brought the damaging winds has now moved southwest which means that they have dropped dramatically.
In the Waikato region, rivers have swelled due due to heavy rain and the main road out of Thames, State Highway 25 has been closed as the Kauaeranga River has flooded.
Severe rain warnings are are in place for most of the North Island, as well as the Nelson/Malborough region in the South Island.
Parts of the North Island are also experiencing power cuts and high winds have also damaged power lines.
Auckland Civil Defence said the top wind overnight was recorded at the Tiritiri Matangi lighthouse at 170km/h.