Aucklanders have woken to near gale east to north east winds gusting to 80km/h and flooding has forced transport officials to close Tamaki Drive in east Auckland as gales and torrential rain batter the upper North Island.
There is extensive flooding along Tamaki Drive on Auckland's waterfront and Auckland Council has urged people to avoid the road.
Auckland Transport closed the road from Kohimarama Rd to The Strand just before 9am saying conditions were terrible.
Buses were being diverted and Auckland Transport advised of possible delays and asked people to be patient.