Auckland expected to escape wild weather

Severe wind and rain predicted for most of New Zealand last night was expected to bypass Auckland, with the only weather warning in the city directed at boat owners.

MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said yesterday that severe wind and rain warnings had been issued around the country because of a front moving south across New Zealand from the Tasman Sea yesterday afternoon.

He said Auckland was set to escape most of the bad weather but a marine wind warning was issued yesterday advising boat owners to check their moorings.

By 5pm yesterday winds were gusting up to 130km/h in the hills surrounding Wellington and up to 92km/h in the hills around Dunedin and Christchurch.

Up to 50mm of rain had fallen at Milford in Fiordland and Dawson Falls in Taranaki - two-thirds of what was expected by this morning.

Winds of up to 140km/h were also predicted for the lower half of the North Island.

Up to 150mm of rain was expected in hill country south of Taranaki.

A brief but heavy downpour in Auckland about 3pm yesterday ended with two Fire Service callouts to minor flooding at homes in Auckland and Hamilton.

Today, most of the rough weather was expected to be over, with showery westerly winds in exposed areas.