Weather bomb alert as storm advances on NZ

Grey skies keep the kite grounded as the storm front - shown in a satellite image - pushes its way onto New Zealand. Photo / Dean Purcell

Emergency and Civil Defence teams were gearing up last night for a weather beating expected to hit within hours.

A severe weather warning - heavy rain and strong gales - was issued by MetService earlier in the day.

It said storms would hit many parts of New Zealand overnight.

Severe weather was expected on the Coromandel Peninsula, in the Bay of Plenty and in the Gisborne area north of Tolaga Bay and would continue through today. About 100mm to 150mm of rain was forecast near the ranges.

Waikato Civil Defence official Chris McLay said an emergency team was based on the peninsula after the warning was issued.

"The Coromandel regularly receives high rainfalls, so we're expecting some of that to come. We're just monitoring the situation and keeping in touch with the emergency team in the Coromandel, expected to be one of the worst-hit [places]."

Winds of up to 90km/h were expected to lash the North Island from Auckland to Kapiti. Severe gusts were forecast for Taranaki and Manawatu.

Whangarei Civil Defence spokeswoman Ann Midson said a team there was on high alert and warning people in the area to be on guard.

"People know what to do when a warning like this comes - we've been through very long, severe droughts and heavy storms.

"But we're telling people to be careful [this] morning - of fallen trees on the roads, flooding and stock that might wander onto the roads."

Rain and strong winds were expected in Northland and on Great Barrier Island.

Between 60mm and 90mm of rain was expected in some hilly areas.

The same was also forecast in areas in the South Island, including Canterbury, Marlborough, Westland, Buller and Nelson, where up to 200mm of rain was predicted.

Environment Canterbury said the area between the Waimakariri River and North Otago was in for heavy rain and southeast gales until tomorrow.

Up to 250mm of rain is expected today and tomorrow between the North Otago ranges and the Canterbury foothills south of the Rangitata River.

Auckland region Civil Defence emergency management group official Harry O'Rourke said people should have emergency kits ready.

"Make sure your battery-powered torches and radios are working and check the expiry dates on all food in your emergency survival kit."

The kits should have enough food and water for three days or more, a battery-powered torch and radio, a first aid kit or medication, and supplies for pets. People living in low-lying areas prone to flooding were advised to have a getaway kit ready in case they needed to move to higher ground.

It should include an emergency survival kit, family documents such as passports and driver licences, and medication and toiletries.

The Civil Defence emergency management office will continue to monitor the weather, as storms are expected to spread south tonight and tomorrow.

People are also being encouraged to clear from around their homes debris that could become airborne during strong winds.

Streams and rivers could also rise quickly, resulting in flooding, particularly on roads, so travellers should drive to the conditions.

The weather is likely to make driving dangerous, causing slips in hilly areas and damaging trees and power lines.

Boaties are also recommended to check their moorings.

Power and phone services could be disrupted, so people are advised to have a torch and a battery-powered radio to listen to weather alerts.