Wild weather lashes across the country

Wild weather continues to blast much of Aotearoa tonight, with dozens of MetService warnings.

There are now 40 MetService weather warnings across the country as strong winds, heavy rain, snow and thunderstorms roll across the motu.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Auckland just before 11pm.

Meanwhile, almost 200 households in the Reikorangi area of Kapiti Coast are without power after a tree fell on a power line.

A full list of MetService warnings can be seen here.

A deep low is expected to affect many parts of the country over the next couple of days.

There is a severe thunderstom watch in place for regions from Northland to Fiordland.

Strong winds are likely over much of the North Island as well as Marlborough, Westland, Buller, the Canterbury High Country, Otago and Southland.

A heavy rain warning is in place for Wellington, Westland and Taranaki, and snow is expected to affect South Island high country passes.

More tornadoes hit Waikanae

Two tornadoes have hit the Kāpiti Coast town of Waikanae today, just days after a tornado damaged six houses in the lower North Island town.

Waikanae locals are saying on social media that they suspect a tornado went through parts of the town about 7pm tonight.

They reported some trees had fallen, a street light had come down across the road, trampolines had been blown away and there was damage to cars and houses.

Sez Rudd said she was driving along Rutherford Drive about 3.45 this afternoon when she turned a corner and saw a tornado coming down the road towards her.

"You see the white wispy bits. There was a lot of leaves going around.

"You could see a funnel-type bit but it didn't touch the ground, but you could see where it was either side of the road.

"Yeah, it took five lanes on the road. It was just there coming down the road at me."

Fire and Emergency Wellington says the damage from two tornados which struck the Waikanae area this evening is still being assessed, but there are no reports of injury.

Assistant Commander Martin Wilby says the tornadoes have damaged multiple homes and one house has been evacuated.

Local woman Stephanie Knighton-Green urged people to take care around Queens and Barrett Drive.

"Fences and trees down. Street light down across the road. Damages to cars and houses. Our trampoline is gone. People can't get in or out of their drives. Hope everyone is OK and no one hurt."

Some people in the area also say they saw what looked like a small tornado this afternoon.

Paraparaumu resident Brendan Gully said he was at the local beach watching the storm roll in when there was a break in the rain and a funnel cloud came to shore.

He then saw a social media post which said a tree had come down on Rutherford Drive because of a tornado.

"So I checked on a map and they aligned pretty well to where I thought it would come ashore. So yeah, put two and two together and kind of confirmed that it was a tornado as it came ashore."

Fire and Emergency crews are attending a number of floods in the area and warn motorists of a number of slips. They say there are no reports of injuries.

Kāpiti Coast District Council said several roads in the area are closed due to weather, including Paekakariki Hill Rd which is closed due to multiple slips.

Greendale Rd, Otaihanga is also closed due to a fallen tree and there is surface flooding on the old SH1 to the north and south of Waikanae, the council said.

Auckland thunderstorm warning

The Transport Agency is warning it may have to close the Auckland Harbour Bridge as a severe thunderstorm hits Auckland.

The forecast is for wind gusts between 80-100 kilometres per hour between 8pm tonight and 10pm Monday night.

NZTA said that may result in speed restrictions, lane closures or a full bridge closure.

The Transport Agency said motorists should expect long delays and avoid non-essential travel. Drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are advised to avoid the Harbour Bridge and use state highways 16 and 18.

Taranaki power out, Porirua flooding

In Taranaki, more than 1000 properties have lost power in Taranaki as wild weather crosses the country.

Nine hundred and 60 customers are without electricity in Urenui in North Taranaki and about two hundred in Lower Vogeltown in New Plymouth.

MetService has lifted a severe thunderstorm warning for Taranaki, but a watch remains in place.

Earlier tonight, Porirua saw heavy rain and flooding which closed roads and endangered homes.

"It's like a lake has appeared. The rain has been incredibly heavy," an RNZ reporter at the scene said.

Porirua City Council said its Emergency Operations Centre will be staffed overnight in case the weather turns foul again.

Civil defence controller Sam Bishop said the rain seems to have died down and river levels have dropped, so the council is hoping that the worst is over.