View photos of the wild weatherKEY POINTS:
Storms battered the upper half of the North Island yesterday - but weather experts are promising summer isn't over.
High winds cut the power to more than 700 homes and some Northland roads were washed away under a metre of water.
Motorists were advised to avoid the Far North town of Kaeo, where resident Warren Martin said water on Dip Rd, one of the worst affected by flooding, was up to his knees.
After spending $100,000 on new flooring, carpet and units after severe damage last year, he said everyone on the street was "paranoid" when it started to rain.
"I've been putting stuff up high in my garage and garden shed... and we took all the vehicles to another house, up higher," he said. "Neighbours have done the same."
In Auckland, falling trees caused a minor power cut in Castor Bay and Milford, and up to 80mm of rain forced the postponement of the Lantern Festival, Starlight Symphony and Two-Handed Round North Island Yacht Race.
Coastguard Northern Region said at least eight boats had broken loose from their moorings.
Vector Energy spokeswoman Philippa White said staff were restoring power to houses in Silverdale, Waiheke Island, Hobsonville, Maraetai and Te Hana.
MetService ambassador Bob McDavitt said a sub-tropical low and northeasterly winds typical of La Nina were pushing the storms over Northland and Auckland.
"We've had our warmest period for summer already," he said.
"But we can expect a fine day on Monday. There's more summer to come."
