"The weather system is zipping up the country and it will go by dusk," said Weather Watch head analyst Philip Duncan said. Despite the heavy downpour in South Auckland, Auckland Airport operations shift manager said no domestic flights were affected. A number of streets suffered surface flooding due to the heavy rain. A severe thunderstorm watch remains in place until 6pm for Waitomo, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taihape, Whanganui, Nelson and Buller. The worst of the wild weather has passed for most across the country, but not before leaving a trail of flooding from torrential rain and three petrified chickens in its wake.

Source: New Zealand Herald May 17, 2016 21:56 UTC