KEY POINTS:
The cleanup is underway across much of the North Island after thunderstorms and squalls ripped through many regions.
Auckland was the hardest hit, with thunder, lightning and squalls in many areas. Winds up to 120 kilometres an hour were recorded in the Hauraki Gulf last night.
The Fire Service was called out to lifting roofs in North Shore and Waitakere cities.
There was also some minor surface flooding, and a large number of trees have been downed by the winds, affecting power supplies to some parts of the wider Auckland region.
There is even one report of a trampoline being hurled skywards by a gust in Henderson.
But the windy weather is not over yet.
Metservice has warned of widespread gales across the North Island and heavy rain for Buller, northwest Nelson and the lower North Island.
It said northwest or westerly winds could gust up to 130 km/h in exposed places from Taranaki and Hawkes Bay south to Nelson, while thunderstorms could bring gusts of 120km/h north to Auckland.
Rainfall
Rain is bringing welcome relief to drought-stricken parts of Auckland but more is still needed.
The Whangaparaoa Peninsula was doused with 20mm of rain overnight to Tuesday - 10 times the amount that fell during all of last month.
But locals were still crying out for more.
Silverdale's Anytime Water Supply part-owner Steve Ross said deliveries were still fully booked.
"I rang most of my customers this morning to see if they still wanted water and they said they'd had one heavy shower and that was it."
Mr Ross said a customer with four children had been out of water since Friday, sending the family to relatives' or friends' homes for showers.
MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said the heaviest overnight rain fell in Taupo, with 29.4mm in the hour to 3am on Tuesday morning. Heavy rain also fell in Hamilton yesterday.
Mr McDavitt said 58mm fell at Auckland International Airport overnight to Tuesday, with 49mm at Henderson and 20mm at Whangaparaoa.
"Places like Whangaparaoa have only had about 9mm in the last six weeks, so to get 20mm like they did is very useful, very welcome, thank you."
He said more rain was forecast for Auckland today.
MetService meteorologists issued a weather warning for the southern North Island, with severe northwest gales capable of damaging trees and buildings expected.
Marine meteorologists forecast ocean swells of more than 5 metres on the west coast of the North Island.
"They will arrive with severe gale force onshore winds and squally showers and will make conditions unsafe for rock fishing or surfing," said Mr McDavitt. "Boat owners anywhere on the west coast of the North Island should check their moorings."
TOTAL RAINFALL
Whangaparaoa
Overnight Monday 20mm
February 2mm
Auckland Airport
Overnight Monday 58mm
February 38mm
Source: MetService
