Weather: Cyclone Dovi strikes New Zealand - heavy wind, rain in Wellington, Auckland and across North Island, top of South Island

WEATHER LATEST
* Auckland Harbour Bridge closed before reopening as wind gusts hit 109km/h;
* Flooding, slips force homes to be evacuated and roads to be closed in Wellington;
* Thousands without power in Northland, boats tear from moorings in Russell, Opua;
* Air NZ cancels at least 100 flights due to the cyclone
* Financial assistance released for deluged South Island farmers
* Several state highways closed around the country. Check list here
* Man taken to Waikato Hospital with serious injuries after tree falls on car

Cyclone Dovi packed a punch across many parts of New Zealand today, with howling gales and heavy rain causing havoc - and temporarily forcing the closure of the Auckland Harbour Bridge as well as temporary power outages across Auckland.

Police urged people to avoid non-essential travel as gale-force winds struck, with gusts of between 130km/h and 150km/h in some parts as the storm reached its peak around lunchtime and early afternoon.

Vector said today's storm brought "extremely challenging" weather conditions with gusts of up to 150km/h leading to widespread power outages in nearly every part of Auckland.

Some customers could be without power for days, it said.

At the worst point this afternoon, about 50,000 customers were without power for a brief time. Later this afternoon the number had fallen to about 14,000.

"This number continues to change as the crews assess each area and are able to get a clearer picture of the extent of the damage," Vector's GM Operations and Maintenance Marko Simunac said.

"Our crews have been working around the clock to make sure areas are safe, before they can finish assessing the damage and carry out repairs.

Locals work to dig yacht 'Crumbs' free from Manly Beach north of Auckland, after the remains of Cyclone Dovi slammed New Zealand. Photo / Neville Marriner