Auckland and other parts of the country are waking to extensive destruction after a night of cyclone-force winds.
Here's everything you need to know about the wild weather around New Zealand:
• Hurricane-force winds gusting up to 140km/h blasted Auckland city last night.
• The strongest gust recorded was 213km/h at Manukau Heads.
• 120,000 homes and businesses have no power, Vector says.
• Aucklanders should stay home from work if they can, authorities urge. Unneccessary travel should be avoided, they say.
• 120,000 properties without power, Civil Defence says.
• Residents should call 09 301 0101 to report trees down on public land and around the roading network. Care must be taken around downed power lines.
• "Green waste shouldn't go in your rubbish bin," Civil Defence says. "If you find any green waste or organic debris on your property, we recommend contacting your local garden waste company, who can arrange for a collection. Alternatively, people can take this waste to their local transfer station or community recycling centre."
• Some schools in Auckland and the Coromandel have closed.
• Auckland Airport is warning of flight delays.
• All ferries are operating except from Northcote Pt. Bus services are operating but there may be delays because of debris.
• Auckland Transport has warned commuters to take care this morning because of debris and road damage. Some roads are also closed:
Temple St in Meadowbank
Trafalgar St between Queenstown and Pleasant Sts in Onehunga
Pilkington Rd between Torino St and Tripoli Rd in Mt Wellington
McCullough Ave between Grange Road South and Laurenston Ave in Papatoetoe
Adams Drive near Keith Place in Pukekohe
Others are down to one lane or are partly blocked:
Woodside Rd in Massey
Maskell St in St Heliers Marne Rd and Settlement Rd in Papakura
Corner of Charles and Glenbrook Rds in Karaka is open with stop/go operating.
• Electric trains are running as they are not connected to Vector's network, says AT spokesman Mark Hannan.
• Trees down in many parts of Auckland. One fell on a car in Morningside, trapping a person.
• Fire and Emergency received more than 1600 weather-related calls overnight.
• Keep your fridge and freezer closed to keep food chilled.
• Throw away any frozen food that has been exposed to temperatures 4° C for 2 hours or more or that has an unusual odour, colour or texture. When in doubt, throw it out.
• If food in the freezer is colder than 4° C and has ice crystals on it, you can refreeze it.
• Contact your doctor if you're concerned about medications having spoiled.
• Restock your emergency kit with fresh batteries, canned foods and other supplies.
• If your power is expected to be out for a day, conserve your hot water.
Source: Civil Defence
AA Insurance says it's received a week's worth of claims in one day since last night's hurricane-force winds and heavy rain in Auckland.
"Claims have included trees falling on roofs, windows being sucked out of houses and roofs collapsing," said customer relations manager Amelia Macandrew.
Advice to people before you make a claim:
• Contact your insurer - ask what you need for your claim and ask your insurer to confirm this in writing.
• Document the damage - take photos or videos of your house and any damaged belongings. Make lists of all the damaged items before you dispose of anything.
• Understand your policy - ensure you know what you are and are not covered for. If you don't understand, ask questions.
Source: Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman
• Northpower lines crews were called to Hikurangi's Jordan Valley Rd, about 1km from State Highway 1, just after 4pm yesterday after a tree fell across the road on to power lines. Traffic was diverted through Apotu Rd. Northland Civil Defence was tracking the weather closely but did not expect damage similar to that experienced in the lower North Island.
• Temperatures are expected to be much lower throughout the North Island today after the storm.
• Desert Rd has reopened after being closed earlier this morning due to snow and ice.
• All ferries in Wellington have been cancelled and replaced with shuttles.
• Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga will be 10-12C colder than a few weeks ago.
• A big cleanup is needed in Taranaki after strong winds, including tornadoes, and heavy rain.
• Christchurch is being battered by strong southerlies and hail - and a high hovering just above single digits.
• In Dunedin, MetService meteorologist Ravi Kandula says a southerly will strengthen through much of today, reaching gale force around Otago Peninsula before dying off this evening.
• Kandula predicted frequent showers this morning with snow to 500m lifting, but temperatures were unlikely to exceed 11C or 12C until the end of the week.
• If your kids are off school today and you're hoping to keep them occupied at the library, good luck - many libraries are closed today due to power cuts. They include Te Atatu Peninsula, Titirangi, Avondale, Mt Roskill, St Heliers and Onehunga libraries, according to tweets from Auckland Libraries.
Mother's two children and husband were among the first on the scene of the crash.