Watch: High winds cause chaos at New Zealand Women's Open

Signage goes flying at the Open. Photo / Screengrab

Chaos has ensued with the resumption in play at the New Zealand Women's Open from 4.50pm.

Another squall has hit the Windross Farm course and resulted in hoardings flying across the course in combination with some player angst.

Third round leader Belen Mozo was captured on video remonstrating to an official that "we're like sheep" and a Sky Television contractor slipped down a bank, which required a stretcher taken onto the course as a precaution by ambulance staff.

The tournament will wait until tomorrow to find a champion.

Brooke Henderson has a three-shot lead at 17-under-par through six holes of the final round. Mozo is four shots back in second equal with Brittany Lincicome. The trio are playing in the final group.

Bo Ream, the LPGA directors of rules and competitions, said they are "aiming to get 72 holes in if possible".

Entry for spectators will be free tomorrow if parking arrangements can be negotiated with Ardmore Airport.

If the final round cannot be completed, Mozo would win the tournament because she led Henderson by one-stroke at 15-under-par after three rounds.

People in Auckland and Northland are being advised to tie down loose objects as a storm packing gale-force winds of up to 120km/h is expected to lash the region tonight.

MetService meteorologist Tui McInnes said the storm could be strong enough to blow objects into the air.

"You might see your trampoline has tipped itself over," he said.

"Don't keep loose things around in your garden that could be picked up by the wind and rolled into a glass window."

The high winds, which hit Auckland only three times a year on average, are expected to hit the region from Coromandel northwards this evening and into the early hours of tomorrow morning, with a lower possibility of high winds in Hawke's Bay.

"The gales are expected to become severe, gusting 120km/h in exposed parts of Northland and Auckland north of the Harbour Bridge during this period," a MetService advisory warned.

The NZTA warned drivers to take "extreme caution" on the Harbour Bridge this evening.

McInnes said by 6am tomorrow most of the strong winds should be easing.

He said the rain which has hit much of the North Island this morning is the "precursor" to the bad weather on its way across the Tasman Sea.

"It's wet for most. It's pretty persistent now but the showers in behind mean it's probably not going to feel like it's getting any clearer," he said.

However the storm is not bringing cold weather, with typical spring daytime highs expected in Auckland of 15C today and 17C from Monday through to Friday.

The South Island is "the nicer island at the moment" with a mostly cloudy day outside the West Coast.

Some sunny spells are expected in the north after the storm passes tomorrow before another, milder cold front brings more rain by the end of the week.

Electricity lines company Vector reiterated the MetService warning about tying down loose things outdoors.

"As always, we'll have crews on standby in case wind or trees bring down power lines, although our crews may be unable to attend while the wind poses a safety risk.

"If you do happen to see lines down, always treat them as live. Keep well away and call 0508 VECTOR (0508 832 867) to let us know."