• The storm is expected to make landfall near Taranaki around lunchtime
• Rain will continue to fall over most of the North Island today as the storm crosses central New Zealand
• Authorities remain on high alert for flooding on western beaches as storm surges swell king tides
• More than 20,000 households and businesses across the North Island are without power this morning including 9000 in Coromandel and 12,000 in Auckland
• The storm is expected to sweep over the central North Island today
• Destructive 120km/h winds are still expected to batter the North Island today. Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Waitomo are in the firing line
• Torrential rain is now affecting the top of the South Island
• Towering 6m waves are expected to slam into eastern and western coastlines of the North Island