The storm wreaking havoc across the country has been described as worse than Cyclone Bola.

The wet, windy and dreary weather is expected to lash most of the North Island for the next 10 days.

Travellers could get caught as heavy downfalls settle over the North Island for the next 24 hours.

The country's skifields have had an early taste of snow, with 10-15cm falling yesterday on the upper slopes of Mt Ruapehu's Whakapapa field.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are set to batter the Bay of Plenty until tomorrow morning, Metservice warns.

A tropical cyclone formed near Fiji today is on track to bring strong winds and heavy rain to New Zealand next week, forecasters predict.

People in northern and eastern areas of the North Island are being advised to take precautions as heavy rains threaten to sweep across those regions tonight and tomorrow, with a possibility of flooding in coastal and low-lying areas.

Heavy rain is on the way today for much of the North Island, with as much 200mm for some areas today and tomorrow, MetService forecasts.

A funnel cloud that drifted across South Auckland yesterday looked like a tornado but was harmless, says the MetService. Several photos were sent to the Herald

Several nzherald.co.nz readers have been sending in photos of what appeared to be a tornado forming over South Auckland.

Strong winds that were set to hit Christchurch this afternoon did not eventuate, but residents are warned that they should secure loose roofs and beware of the threat of falling masonry.

The latest cyclone to grow out of the Pacific is forecast to brush past NZ, creating a risk of high seas on the North Island's east coast.

The North Island's golden weather has created concern about heat-related injuries, as people and animals languish in the heat.

Hundred-year-old records are tumbling as unrelenting heat sets NZ on course for its hottest February ever.

A developing tropical cyclone could threaten New Zealand next week, a weather prediction website has warned.

Many New Zealanders will sleep easier tonight, with temperatures set to drop in the South Island and lower parts of the North Island.

Scorching conditions which caused an Australian heatwave have crossed the Ditch, breaking temperature records in the South Island.