Destructive gales will continue to batter the North Island and north Canterbury today and tomorrow. Many other roads across the upper North Island are partially blocked by slips and downed trees. The swirling storm, which is sitting off the west coast of the North Island, is due to hit Taranaki at midday. The Gisborne region has been deluged overnight when a whopping 200mm falling on the eastern tip of the North Island. Aucklander Will Hay, who is holidaying at his family bach on Hudsons Beach, was woken at 2.30am by the storm.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 04, 2018 22:07 UTC