Houses flooded in Auckland downpour

Several houses in northern Auckland have been flooded as heavy rain pounds much of the country this morning.

A front moving up the country has brought downpours to the top of the South Island and most of the North Island, while westerly gales are also forecast for some areas.

In the past hour, rain has been falling heavily over the Auckland region.

A Fire Service spokesperson said crews have been called to about 15 different weather-related incidents, all involving flooding in houses, from Takapuna and East Coast Bays on the North Shore up to Silverdale and Warkworth further north.

MetService has issued a severe weather warning for parts of the Nelson and Marlborough regions, as heavy rain falls on the Richmond and Bryant Ranges.

In the five hours from 9am, another 25-40mm of rain is expected on top of what has already fallen, before the rain eases this afternoon as the front passes.

MetService advised people to watch out for surface flooding, slips, and rapidly rising rivers and streams in the area.

Heavy rain is also falling in Northland between the Bay of Islands and Whangarei, however this is expected to ease this afternoon. Showers are also forecast to be heavy for the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty from later this morning through to this evening.

Strong westerlies may also become severe at times in northern Wairarapa and central Hawkes Bay tonight and tomorrow, while a deep low south of the country may also bring gale westerlies to the Otago and Southland areas tomorrow.

Heavy rain warnings for Westland, Buller, western Nelson and the Canterbury headwaters have now been lifted, as the rain has eased.