The North Island has experienced widespread thunderstorms since the start of the New Year. Multiple severe thunderstorm warnings were in place across the upper North Island yesterday, with hail and lightning strikes causing havoc in Auckland. The rest of the North Island should see a mainly fine and cloudy day today, with some isolated showers possible. Hail fell across parts of the North Island yesterday, including in Auckland's North Shore. Moving into Monday, MetService has predicted a mainly fine day for the North Island, with scattered showers from Northland to Coromandel Peninsula.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 03, 2026 16:55 UTC