Reports of heavy rain have been coming in from the Bay of Plenty overnight and this morning and some heavy falls have resulted in localised flooding.
A couple of measurements show that nearly 100mm of rain has fallen over a short period.

Lightning and thunder have also been reported but eastern areas of the South Island have also received a drenching in some parts of Canterbury and Otago. Rain set in across Christchurch earlier this morning.

Auckland last night saw some heavy falls but thunderstorms were mainly north and south of the city and region.

South Waikato, Taranaki, Marlborough and eastern areas of the Mainland are recording the steadiest and heaviest rain across the country as of this hour.

Winds have also been strongest across exposed central areas of the country in amongst the rainbands.

Motorists are advised in areas of heavy rain across the country to drive to the conditions as in some isolated areas there are pockets of surface flooding.

Conditions will ease in some areas however another belt of severe weather is expected again before the weekend is over.

-WeatherWatch