Winds have again picked up across many western and some eastern areas tonight reports WeatherWatch.co.nz.

In Auckland late afternoon showers saw gusts again reach over 120km/h on the Manukau Heads and at 7:30pm in Auckland City gusts were reaching 70km/h and appeared to be rising slightly.

While they aren’t gale force they are certainly near it with sustained winds at 50km/h.  Gale force is 62.

Strong winds are battering inland Hawkes Bay too with gusts reaching 111km/h this past hour.

And gusty winds continue to hammer Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu and the West Coast.

In Wanganui and parts of Manawatu winds are gale force with gusts up to 90km/h.

Gusty conditions are hitting Horowhenua, Taranaki and the West coast with gusts around 70 to 80km/h.