Torrential downpours in Wellington caused minor flooding and forced the cancellation of a graduation parade.
Flooding on a Wellington street Photo: Andrew Dalziel
MetService recorded more than 30mm of rain up to midday.
The Fire Service responded to a handful of incidents including surface flooding at Oriental Parade and Taranaki Streets in the city and Queen's Drive in the suburb of Lyall Bay.
Victoria University cancelled a graduation parade that was to have taken place from Lambton Quay to Civic Square.
It said the logistics of planning traffic diversions at short notice meant it was impossible to find another day for the parade. The 1000 students were still graduating in formal ceremonies.
Earlier, motorists had been advised to take extra care especially on the Rimutaka Hill Road where winds were expected to top 100 km/h.
Report due on Wellington flooding
Wellington City Council said it was well aware of residents' concern over the frequency of flooding in the city after heavy rain.
Environment chair Iona Pannett said while today's rain was an extreme weather event, the council was well aware residents were not happy.
She said a report is due out next week on flooding hotspots and possible solutions.
"There are some quite significant issues there and in the longer-term even looking at where people build and live will have to be looked at."
She said there were no easy answers to the flooding problem in the city.