Non-stop thunderstorms are rumbling across the Waitakere Ranges and other parts of Auckland as a band of active showers move across the region.
WeatherWatch meteorologist Philip Duncan said lightning and thunder have been going nonstop since about 4:30pm.
"As of 5:20pm the western side of Auckland had a severe thunderstorm while the eastern side had clear blue skies," he said.
Watch: Rain causes havoc for Footbal fans
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued by Metservice shortly before 5pm.
The main band of rain is expected to end up affecting all of the city before 6 or 7pm however, thunderstorms may not affect all suburbs. Showers should ease by 7pm for a time.
More isolated thunderstorms are expected tomorrow.
Titirangi resident Andrew Landy said the storm was one of the worst he had felt.
"At the moment it is pitch black. It had gone very, very dark all of a sudden and there is lot of serious rumbling. There is almost constant thunder above my head," he said.
"Normally a storm would go over and there would be a few bangs and the odd flash and then it moves on but this one was almost constant, furious rumbling, there was no gaps between the thunder. There were a couple of big bangs that shook the house as well."
Manukau Harbour resident Anna White said the intense storm was "really quite scary".
"It has been extremely heavy rain and I have never ever had a cloud burst like that. The worst of it, I hope, has passed and the skies are clearing a little bit," she said.
"I have got no idea how much rain we had in that bad burst but it would have been significant. There were ongoing lightning flashes and hail so we had it all."
Ms White said there had been flash floods in the guttering on her property.
"All our guttering was just overflowing and it was just like a waterfall off the veranda. We have lived up here for a while now and we get some heavy stuff but nothing like that."
Hawke's Bay hosts Christmas lunches for those seeking company and support.