Heavy rain is on the way today for much of the North Island, with as much 200mm for some areas today and tomorrow, MetService forecasts.

A funnel cloud that drifted across South Auckland yesterday looked like a tornado but was harmless, says the MetService. Several photos were sent to the Herald

Several nzherald.co.nz readers have been sending in photos of what appeared to be a tornado forming over South Auckland.

A severe weather warning has been issued for parts of the North Island.

Strong winds that were set to hit Christchurch this afternoon did not eventuate, but residents are warned that they should secure loose roofs and beware of the threat of falling masonry.

The latest cyclone to grow out of the Pacific is forecast to brush past NZ, creating a risk of high seas on the North Island's east coast.

The North Island's golden weather has created concern about heat-related injuries, as people and animals languish in the heat.

Many New Zealanders will sleep easier tonight, with temperatures set to drop in the South Island and lower parts of the North Island.

Scorching conditions which caused an Australian heatwave have crossed the Ditch, breaking temperature records in the South Island.

As the floodwaters left in the devastating trail of Cyclone Wilma subsided yesterday, so the tales of heroism and helping emerged. New Zealanders - many facing clear-ups of their own - came together to help those affected worse than

Temporary welfare shelters have been set up in Northland to house about 70 people, after tropical cyclone Wilma battered the upper North Island overnight. People from Kaeo through to Kawakawa have evacuated from their homes due to rising

Another weekend bout of wind and rain is being forecasted as the North Island recovers from 72 hours of storms.

All Auckland roads have been re-opened and power is being restored as the recovery from 72 hours of storms that battered the North Island begins.

Warnings of more gale force winds and heavy rain have been issued as a deep low moves east across the North Island this morning.

Wild weather was last night lashing the upper North Island as heavy rain and high tides combined to keep authorities and residents on high alert for more coastal flooding.

Areas of Auckland and beyond were yesterday inundated by floodwaters. Here is what happened in some of the worst affected areas.

Coastal residents are bracing for another surge of water at high tide. The MetService has issued a severe weather warning for most of the North Island.

The MetService's severe weather warning for most of the North Island remains in place today, and Bay of Plenty civil defence emergency workers are on standby after heavy rain pelted the region overnight.