Weather-weary North Islanders are being warned that much worse is yet to come.
Whangārei District has declared a "precautionary state of emergency" for the next seven days in response to severe weather.
Multiple warnings have been issued as the upper North Island faces periods of persistent, intense rainfall, with more widespread rain expected to spread south from tomorrow.
1News weather presenter Dan Corbett said: "We've had a garden hose of rain, now we'll have a fire hose."
MetService said a strong and humid easterly flow would bring downpours to the upper North Island on Tuesday, while bands of heavy rain would spread south on Wednesday.
In an update on Tuesday afternoon, the forecaster said strong easterly winds were expected ahead of the heavy rain.
Northland and the Coromandel Peninsula had existing heavy rain warnings extended through until Thursday. The areas now have a high chance of upgrading to a red warning for heavy rain.
Meanwhile, the Bay of Plenty, including Rotorua and Gisborne north of Tokomaru Bay, were added to the list.
Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper said emergency declarations were extremely rare in the district, and had been taken as a precaution given the level of damage already sustained and the risk of further severe weather.
"The communities of Ōakura, Whangaruru South and Whangaruru North and surrounding areas have been significantly impacted already with potential for further impacts from the incoming weather."
Hundreds without power and strong winds add to the anxiety as hazards increase with landslips and fallen trees. (Source: 1News)
A heavy rain watch was in place for Auckland and Great Barrier Island for 42 hours from 9am today, with a high chance of being upgraded to a warning. It was updated at 4.30pm this afternoon to include Waikato, Waitomo and Taupō from 1pm tomorrow to 6am Thursday. Watches for Tasman, Canterbury, and Westland begin from midday on Wednesday.
A strong wind watch has been issued for Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula, Waitomo and Taupō from 8am Wednesday to 1am Thursday. During this time, easterly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places, MetService said.
A low-pressure system originating from the tropics moves towards New Zealand from tomorrow, with MetService saying its path and strength was "very uncertain".
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In Northland, Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust's Carla Martin told 1News she had been checking in on whānau in the area, prioritising kaumatua and those with babies.
"Seeing the extent of everybody's losses, some more than others, it was just devastating."
Water could be seen pouring down the driveway of the property in Ohawini Bay on Sunday. (Source: Other)
Some residents had already packed up and moved to marae, while others staying home were being supplied with essentials suchas generator fuel, food and water, she said.
Food parcels were delivered to Mōkau Marae yesterday, with more heading today to several others including Rawhiti, Bland Bay (Tūparehuia), Otetao o Reti – Punaruku and Ngāiotonga.
Martin had a message for the Northland community: "We know that the clean-up is going to be huge, and we're all here to chip in with everyone. Be safe out there."
'A lot more heavy rain to come' – Civil Defence Northland
An already saturated Northland faces more than 40 hours of heavy rain, with MetService saying 60mm to 80mm was expected between 9am and 9pm today, along with "downpours of 25 to 40mm an hour" which could occur with or without thunderstorms.
A further 120 to 160mm was forecast from 1am Wednesday to 1am Thursday, with more heavy bursts possible.
Whangaruru farm manager Matt Payne told 1News there had been "quite a lot of damage", with slips, laneways washed out, flooded water pumps and trees down.
"It was water all across the road where it never floods. We were kind of stuck here for a few days because the bridge at one end of the farm was washed out, and our lane ways were washed out, we normally would be able to drive around."
Payne had stocked up with a generator and fuel in the face of the coming weather.
"I figured with more heavy rain on the way, we'd best stock up on a few things."
A Whangārei District Council spokesperson said three homes had been declared "dangerous buildings" under the Building Act, as well as the Ōakura Community Hall. Seven properties had been assessed in total.
Northpower reported an outage shortly before midday affecting more than 450 customers at Mangawhai caused by trees damaging power lines.
"We have field staff on their way to investigate after reports of a tree down on the lines. Thank you for your patience, please always treat all lines as live."
Civil Defence Northland said it looked like there would be "a lot more heavy rain to come for our region".
"With forecast heavy rain expected on top of recent rainfall, there is an increased risk that streams and rivers may rise rapidly, and slips may occur, particularly in flood prone areas across Northland. So, we’re urging everyone to be prepared."
In a statement, they said it was great to see how Northlanders rallied together for last week's heavy rain.
"We know we can do it if we need to, and spending that little bit of time now preparing can make a bit difference if this weather does severely impact Northland."
Local councils, emergency services, and Northland Civil Defence were meeting regularly, with conditions being monitored and resources being positioned around the region.
Northland motorists urged to take care
The New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi urged Northland motorists to take care on the roads.
"Following recent heavy rain across Northland, our contractors have been actively responding on the state highway network to ensure it remains safe and accessible for everyone," Waka Kotahi said.
"With Heavy Rain Warnings currently in place for Northland, crews are monitoring the network, inspecting known at‑risk locations and clearing drains and culverts to help manage surface water.
"Further rainfall is forecast for tomorrow, and road conditions may change quickly as the system moves through."
Motorists were advised to allow extra time for their journeys and to be ready to encounter the unexpected.
"Heavy rainfall can cause hazards such as fallen trees and branches, slips and erosion, flooding and surface water across the road and pavement failures.
"It’s important that people increase following distances, reduce speed if conditions deteriorate, turn headlights on, even during daytime rain and be alert for the unexpected – you don’t always know what’s around the next corner.
"Where possible, avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rain."
Power outages possible in Auckland amid wind warning for Harbour Bridge
Vector has warned customers that the imminent weather could cause power outages for some Auckland residents.
The lines company said it was making preparations now and closely monitoring the latest weather advice.
"Our established storm‑response processes mean we can mobilise crews efficiently to restore power as safely and quickly as possible," the company said in a statement.
"Power outages during stormy weather are most often caused by branches or trees being blown onto power lines, with water-logged soil increasing the risk of trees falling."
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has warned motorists to drive to the conditions across the Auckland Harbour Bridge with wind gusts of 75-85km/h forecast between 7am and 8pm today.
"The bridge will remain in 4x4 configuration throughout the day,” a spokesperson said, adding that the speeds on the bridge were limited to 70km/h.
"Motorists are advised pay attention to electronic message boards on the motorway, which will advise if any lane closures and reduced speed limits are required.
"If there is a potential for sudden and high wind gusts on the bridge, lowering the speed limit gives motorists time to react and take more care."
Full list of weather warnings and watches
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Northland – 41 hours from 9am Tuesday to 2am Thursday
Coromandel Peninsula – 45 hours from 9am Tuesday to 6am Thursday
Bay of Plenty including Rotorua – 20 hours from 1pm Wednesday to 9am Thursday
Gisborne north of Tokomaru Bay – 18 hours from 3pm Wednesday to 9am Thursday
Heavy Rain Watch
Auckland and Great Barrier Island – 42 hours from 9am Tuesday to 3am Thursday
Waikato, Waitomo and Taupō – 17 hours from 1pm Wednesday to 6am Thursday
Tasman – 21 hours from noon Wednesday to 9am Thursday
Canterbury – 19 hours from 6pm Wednesday to 1pm Thursday
Westland – 18 hours from 3pm Wednesday to 9am Thursday
Strong Wind Watch
Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula, Waitomo and Taupō – 17 hours from 8am Wednesday to 1am Thursday
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a spate of shark attacks, more bad weather to come, and Prince Harry’s back at court. (Source: 1News)
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