The weather, region by region: What you need to know ahead of Cyclone Cook unleashing havoc

The extreme weather from Cyclone Cook is set to batter most of the country. Here are the latest updates for today, region by region:

Northland / Waikato

• Heavy rain warnings in place for today.
• Between 150-300mm of rain expected across Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

Auckland

• Heavy downpours, flash flooding and winds up to 140km/h expected until midnight tonight.
• Between 150-300mm of rain expected before this evening.
• Auckland Council, Civil Defence and NZTA urging care on roads.
• Fewer trains on the Southern Line because of flooding.
• Delays and cancellations are expected tomorrow on train, ferry and bus services.
• Three Waiheke Island schools closed.
• Great Barrier Island braced for extreme effects from severe wind and coastal storm surges.

Coromandel

• Worst of the weather will hit tomorrow. Civil Defence emergency in force.
• 150 to 250mm rain until midnight tonight, and intense rates up to 35mm an hour.
• Winds of up to 150km/h or more possible from this afternoon. Peak waves of 5m or more on eastern coast.
• Extreme care urged at high tide this morning (8.36am) and again at 9pm. High tide tomorrow at 9.16am and 9.41pm. Care should also be taken on the Firth of Thames coast.
• Slips and flooding possible and could close roads. Easter holidaymakers urged to stay away.

Bay of Plenty / Edgecumbe

• Up to 300mm expected in Bay of Plenty today and tomorrow.
• Regional state of emergency in place as water pumped from flooded Edgecumbe.
• Access to areas of Edgecumbe hit by last week's floods suspended because of the incoming weather.
• 57 schools in the region closed today, plus kura and early learning centres.
• Edgecumbe residents will be alerted to evacuations by sirens from fire stations and emergency services vehicles.

Taupo

• 150 to 205mm through to midnight tonight. Wind gusts up to 150km/h or more possible from this afternoon until early Friday.

• Lake Taupo could rise by half a metre.

Wellington

• The storm expected to reach the capital early tomorrow morning
• It is likely to deliver heavy rain and strong winds

Westland, Buller, Nelson

• Intense rain forecast for region
• Up to 200mm of rain expected in ranges around Nelson, with maximum rainfall rates of 30 to 40mm an hour.
• Slow-moving low in from the Tasman Sea will bring rain to the West Coast before other regions in the South Island.
• A severe-weather watch has been issued for the affected areas.

Otago

• Flooding fears for Dunedin
• Heaviest rainfall expected from midnight tonight to 2am Friday.

Christchurch

• Occasional rain, becoming persistent in the afternoon. Northeasterlies developing in the morning.
• Heaviest rain expected from 8pm to 4am tomorrow.