Strong winds have toppled a tree onto a house in East Auckland, as the region is battered by stormy weather.
Photo: Cole Eastham-Farrelly
A weather system moving southwards over the country is bringing heavy rain and strong gales to many places.
Fire and Emergency have received 12 weather-related calls in the Auckland area today, including to the damaged house on Alexander St in Cocklebay.
The wild weather has also bought down powerlines and more trees across the region.
MetService warned earlier today that strong northwesterlies would accompany heavy rain in the upper North Island, and gusts over 100km/h were expected, particularly in Auckland.
MetService meteorologist Tahlia Crabtree advised motorists to take care when driving in wet and windy conditions, and urged those using fireworks to be careful, as strong winds were expected to continue into the evening.
The weather is expected to clear tomorrow, but rain will spread across the country on Saturday. A cold shift will result in a drop in temperatures in the South Island on Sunday and cooler air in the North Island on Monday.