More than 500 lightning strikes have hit parts of the South Island in the last few hours - and now the heavy rain that battered the island is heading north. Now rain from a front moving up the South Island is said to be "steadily marching" towards the North Island; bringing with it heavy rain. It comes after periods of heavy rain to the west of the South Island this morning - and thunderstorms. A heavy rain warning remains over the ranges of Westland south of Otirā and will last up until about 3pm. "It will start feeling drier across the South Island tomorrow and across the North Island on Thursday."

Source: New Zealand Herald April 13, 2021 01:52 UTC