Chaos as wild weather hits

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Torrential rainfall in Auckland has caused a spate of traffic accidents and surface flooding in many suburbs.

Emergency services were rushed off their feet responding to minor crashes across Auckland's motorway network.

A large oak tree came down across three apartments on Victoria Ave in Remuera.

Nobody has been injured and the level of damage is unclear.

An arborist is on the way to clear the tree.

Surface flooding was also reported in Orakei, Remuera and Kohimarama.

The flooding has highlighted how much money needs to be invested in Auckland's stormwater network.

Orakei Councillor Cameron Brewer says Mayor Len Brown has yet to commit to spending the money - despite pleas from experts.

Mr Brewer says nearly $10 billion needs to be spent over the next 50 years, but less than $800 million has been budgeted for during the next 10 years.

He says spending only 10 percent of what is needed is not good enough.

Mr Brewer says with the underground infrastructure not coping at the moment, it will be well short of what is needed to deal with the city's future growth.

Among the most serious traffic-related incidents was a three-car crash on the Auckland Harbour Bridge which closed one northbound lane this afternoon.

A car towing horses on a trailer broke down and the animals were removed from the trailer after growing anxious.

There were also reports of flooding at the ASB Showgrounds.

The MetService has issued a weather warning for tomorrow, with storms expected to hit across the North Island.