The Bay's surfing community was not deterred by Cyclone Hola. It was bucketing down about 6pm but the car parks nearest the surf beach beside Mouturiki (Leisure Island) were full.
The worst of ex-tropical Cyclone Hola has passed over New Zealand, but a chilly snap will stay around in its wake.
Gale force winds and heavy rain continued to lash the upper North Island overnight, after a deluge of bad weather set in on Sunday evening.
Kerikeri was battered with 26.2mm of rain yesterday and Auckland received 10.4mm, according to the Metservice, but it was Bay of Plenty which appeared to be bearing the brunt of the storm.
From 4pm on Monday, the Metservice reported 29.8mm of rain had fallen in Tauranga with almost another 10mm expected before midnight.
Severe gales with gusts to 120km/hr were also forecast.
According to Metservice, the strongest winds were felt in Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula and Gisborne.
The North Island from above, below and through the clouds. Persistent rain over the upper North Island as #CycloneHola moves further S. Things looking very gloomy on the Hot Water Beach @surf2surf webcam. Keep safe and up to date with warnings at https://t.co/qHyE5zhh6X. ^JM pic.twitter.com/Ch9VYCt3Qt
Air New Zealand cancelled flights in Whangarei and Kerikeri on Monday morning.
"Three one-way services between Kerikeri and Auckland and three one-way services between Whangarei and Auckland have been cancelled due to weather this morning," a spokeswoman said.
"Customers booked to travel today are advised to keep an eye on the arrivals and departures page of Air New Zealand's website for up to date flight information."
Surfers hit the beach at Mount Maunganui during Cyclone Hola. Photo / Mark Robson
The ex-tropical cyclone is the third of its kind since the beginning of February, following tropical cyclones Gita and Fehi.
The storm brought little more than a big wet and wild winds to most places. Little storm-related damage has been reported to relevant authorities.
However, the weather system has brought a cold snap along with it, which Metservice said would likely stick around until the end of the week.
Meteorologist Amy Rossiter said the drop in temperatures was similar to what many areas experienced following cyclone Gita, midway through February.
"From now until the end of the week we're expecting some colder temperatures - especially in areas of the South Island like Alexandra and Gore," Rossiter said.
This was due to a ridge that would settle over the top of the South Island after the remnants of Hola moved away from the country.
Warmer northerly winds would likely replace that ridge by Sunday night, creating an increase in temperatures in these spots.
Forecasters warned the onslaught of crazy weather events might not be over yet - a new system was forming in the Coral Sea, just south of the Solomon Islands.
Goodbye Hola, hello Linda...?
As Hola races away from NZ on Tuesday, an area of rain & thunderstorms to the west of New Caledonia in the Coral Sea may develop into Tropical #CycloneLinda.
