A powerful low-pressure system has lashed parts of the country overnight, causing evacuations, damage and flooding across parts of the North Island.
States of Emergency remain in place for the Manawatū Whanganui region, as well as the Waipā and Ōtorohanga districts, while thousands around the country are still without power.
Follow 1News live updates on today's severe weather event here.
Severe gales tore through parts of the lower North Island, with a maximum wind gust of 240km/h recorded in Wairarapa at 7am Monday morning.
In Wellington, gusts of 193km/h hit Mt Kaukau, the strongest winds recorded there since June 2013.
Wellington Airport measured a maximum gust of 128km/h, also its highest since 2013, and Kelburn recorded a 133km/h southerly, its strongest from that direction in more than a decade.
Conditions were equally extreme out on the water, with the Baring Head Wave Buoy in Wellington Harbour recording a significant wave height of 7.54m Sunday evening.
Rainfall totals have also been substantial, with many regions surpassing what they would normally receive for the entire month of February.
Wairarapa recorded 256.4mm of rainfall overnight, while Wellington saw 121.mm and Tararua District topped 101.9mm.
Hawke's Bay received 82.4mm, Whanganui 85mm and Manawatu 75.6mm.
Gisborne, Taupō, Waiouru, Wellington, Whanganui and Kaikōura have all exceeded their typical February rainfall totals, with more rain still to come.
What's to come
Heavy rain and strong wind warnings remain in place across parts of the central North Island and the eastern South Island, while heavy swell warnings continue for the southeastern coast.
While winds are expected to gradually ease across the central North Island this afternoon and improve in the lower North Island and northeastern South Island Monday evening, the system is far from over.
The moisture-laden low is tracking southwards, with the focus for heavy rain moving into the eastern South Island.
The Canterbury Plains, Banks Peninsula and Dunedin are forecast to bear the brunt into Tuesday, with warnings and watches in place.
MetService meteorologist Alanna Burrows urged people to stay alert and monitor official updates.
"Please keep up to date with the latest warnings in your area, as well as advice from Civil Defence and other local agencies," she said.
Full updated list of current regions with watches and warnings in effect:
Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Manawatū, Rangitīkei and Ruapehu districts north of Feilding and east of SH1 – 6 hours from 9am to 3pm Monday
Taihape, inland Whanganui and Manawatū north of Bulls and west of SH1 – 7 hours from 8am to 3pm Monday
Eastern hills of Wellington, Wairarapa and the Tararua Range – 11 hours from 8am to 7pm Monday
Kaikōura district and Canterbury north of Amberley – 13 hours from 8am to 9pm Monday
Banks Peninsula – 34 hours from 8am Monday, February 16 to 6pm Tuesday
Strong Wind Warning – Orange
Wellington and eastern Marlborough – 10 hours from 8am to 6pm Monday
Heavy Rain Watch
Wellington – 11 hours from 8am to 7pm Monday
Canterbury Plains and foothills between the Rangitata River and Amberley – 26 hours from 8am Monday, February 16 to 10am Tuesday
Dunedin, east of Pukerangi – 15 hours from 4am to 7pm Tuesday
Coastal Whanganui and Manawatū, south of Feilding – 6 hours from 8am to 2pm Monday
Strong Wind Watch
Coastal Wairarapa – 12 hours from 11am to 11pm Monday
Marlborough (away from the east coast) – 7 hours from 8am to 3pm Monday
Chatham Islands – 10 hours from 8am to 6pm Monday
Heavy Swell Warning
Wairarapa – Turakirae Head to Mataikona – 16 hours from noon Monday, February 16 to 4am Tuesday
Wellington – Cape Terawhiti to Turakirae Head – 8 hours from noon to 8pm Monday
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