Power cuts, trees down as heavy rain, gales batter upper North

2025 is set to go out with a bang as an active low-pressure system crosses the country, upgrading weather alerts from watches to warnings and no doubt disrupting many Kiwis' summer plans.

Most of the North Island and the top of the South Island are under orange heavy rain and strong wind warnings for the final few days of the year, with a mix of wind, rain, thunderstorms and cooler temperatures for many areas.

Fire and Emergency NZ have responded to more than 100 callouts across the upper North Island this afternoon, including downed trees and roofs lifting.

All lanes on the Auckland Harbour Bridge remain open after they were temporarily closed earlier today.

NZTA said motorists should expect to face some congestion in the area.

"Expect delays. Obey all speed restrictions and signs."

Tauranga City Council has cancelled all five of its community celebrations for New Year's Eve, saying forecast adverse weather had disrupted set up and that conditions were "highly likely" to continue.

More than 500 properties across southern Auckland and northern Waikato were without power, Counties Energy said.

"All available crews are out there working hard to restore power to over 500 affected properties. The majority of outages have been caused by winds damaging equipment and blowing trees and branches over onto powerlines," a message from the lines company read.

"We suggest that those affected make alternative plans for dinner and to stay with friends and family if possible. Rest assured that repair works are continuing, however this is not going to be quick given the scale of damage."

PowerCo reported outages affecting 375 properties in Carterton and 109 in Horopito, while power has been restored to Kennedy Bay, Matamata and Te Aroha.

Northpower said 422 customers lost power at Kaiwaka, 181 at Maungaturoto, 224 near Kaiwaka and 235 at Mangawhai after trees damaged lines. Repairs continue at Kauri, where a fallen tree cut power to 285 customers.

MetService meteorologist Katie Lyons said while there was plenty to keep an eye on, there were also likely to be breaks for some parts of the country.

A rainband moving south was bringing soggy conditions to the upper North Island today, Lyons said.

The Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairāwhiti and Hawke's Bay were currently receiving the "most intense and persistent" deluge, with orange heavy rain warnings continuing through until Tuesday for some regions," she added.

"Early in the event, ranges in the Coromandel region are already seeing over 40mm of rain, with 20mm toward the towns. It's unfortunate weather to hit such popular camping spots and the festival goers in the Gisborne/Tairāwhiti region."

Heavy rain watches were issued for the Bay of Plenty west of Rotorua, the Tararua District and Wairarapa, the Kaikoura Coast.

Gale southeasterlies were also spreading across the North Island and northwest of the South Island, bringing orange strong wind warnings into effect in the Coromandel, Waikato to Taranaki and Taihape, and Manawatu south to Kapiti.

In the South Island, the gales would accelerate up and over the ranges, bringing big gusts to Buller, Grey and northern Westland from 10pm tonight through until 2pm on Tuesday.

Many other areas across the North Island were under strong wind watches, including Auckland and Wellington.

Lyons said winds were expected to be strongest in exposed areas.

"However, it’s a different direction than we are used to, so those that usually feel sheltered might catch the strong winds today. High sided vehicles, for example campervans, should be extra mindful."

The driest place to ring in the New Year was appearing to be the far south of the country, while the rainiest was western central New Zealand, she said.

"The beauty of showers is that they might give us a few gaps to celebrate the years end outside. 

"Definitely a time to have a plan B for your New Year’s festivities and keep a keen eye on the forecast and radar."

Heavy Rain Warning – Orange

Coromandel Peninsula – 9 hours from 9am to 6pm Monday

Gisborne/Tairāwhiti – 18 hours from 9am Monday to 3am Tuesday

Bay of Plenty (east of Rotorua) – 17 hours from 9am Monday to 2am Tuesday

Hawke’s Bay – 19 hours from 10am Monday to 5am Tuesday

Strong Wind Warning – Orange

Marlborough Sounds, Nelson, Buller, Grey, northern Westland – 15 hours from 10pm Monday to 1pm Tuesday

Coromandel Peninsula – 6 hours from 9am to 3pm Monday

Waikato, Waitomo, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taupō, Tongariro NP, Taihape – 9 hours from noon to 9pm Monday

Manawatū, Horowhenua, Kāpiti Coast – 18 hours from 3pm Monday to 9am Tuesday

Heavy Rain Watch

Bay of Plenty west of Rotorua – 15 hours from 9am to midnight Monday

Tararua District and Wairarapa – 16 hours from 11pm Monday to 3pm Tuesday

Kaikōura Coast – 12 hours from 9am to 9pm Tuesday

Strong Wind Watch

Auckland and Great Barrier Island – 5 hours from 9am to 2pm Monday

Wellington – 12 hours from 9am to 9pm Tuesday