Auckland's Tamaki Drive on Thursday morning. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Flights and ferries have been cancelled in Auckland as ex-cyclone Tam batters the region with strong winds.
The severe weather system is bringing sustained heavy rain and severe easterly gales to many areas of the North Island and upper South Island through to Easter weekend.
Auckland's deputy mayor Desley Simpson told Nine to Noon, Auckland experienced a "pretty wild night" due to the strong winds, which were expected to continue through to Friday.
"It's really important to be really careful out there especially if you're driving."
Simpson said there had been power outages, fallen trees and debris spread across roads throughout Auckland.
She said Auckland's Cornwall Park was closed and sandbags had been put on Tamaki Drive, which was prone to surface flooding.
"My message to Aucklanders is please take care as you move around today and tomorrow."
So far, Simpson said traffic was not too bad in the city, but it could be a different story this afternoon when people finish work and travel outside of the region for Easter weekend.
At that point, Simpson said the rain was expected to be heavy, and travellers should make sure not to drive through floodwater and be extra vigilant on the roads.
A view of Auckland city on Thursday morning. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel
Auckland Emergency Management's general manager Adam Maggs told Morning Report, council contractors responded to more than 65 callouts for damage and clearing trees and debris overnight.
He said people should be cautious near the sea, as large swells and rough seas hit the eastern coastal areas.
Flights cancelled at Auckland Airport
Auckland Airport's domestic terminal was busier than usual on Thursday, Air New Zealand's general manager of airports, Kate Boyer said, due to the Easter weekend and school holidays.
Shortly after 9am, Boyer told Nine to Noon, six domestic flights had been cancelled that were meant to be heading into Northland.
"We're expecting the weather to deteriorate this afternoon, so we're trying to get as many people out earlier as soon as we can.
"We will communicate any disruption to flights."
Boyer encouraged anyone flying on Thursday to leave a little bit of extra time before their flight and to keep an eye on the Air New Zealand app or website.
Auckland power cuts
Vector said at its peak there were 10,000 customers without power.
A tree which was downed on Auckland's North Shore. Photo: RNZ / Jessica Hopkins
"What we can say about the latest situation is that our crews have worked through the night, where it has been safe to do so, and have managed to restore 80 percent of outages, with fewer than 2 percent of our customers affected."
With winds expected to continue throughout the day a Vector spokesperson said more outages were expected.
Anyone without power should follow updates on Vector's website, the spokesperson said, as it was the fastest way to stay up to date with restoration progress.
Ferries cancelled
A number of ferry services have been suspended due to high winds, with some cancelled for the entire day.
Services from Northcote Point, Gulf Harbour and Pine Harbour have been suspended for the day while Birkenhead ferry services have been cancelled until further notice.
Devonport and Hobsonville Point have been suspended until at least 12pm.
Specific services from Bayswater, Halfmoon Bay and West Harbour were cancelled on Thursday.
Huge waves on Auckland's Tamaki Drive. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
All three ferry companies sailing to Waiheke Island have cancelled their services on Thursday morning.
Auckland and Great Barrier Island remain under strong wind warnings through to midnight on Thursday.
A heavy rain watch was due to continue to the early hours of Friday morning.
What should Aucklanders do?
Auckland Emergency Management has sent out a list of what people in Auckland should do to keep themselves and others safe during the storm:
- If travelling, plan your journey, drive to the conditions and allow extra time.
- Stay up to date with weather forecasts and check AT and NZTA's journey planners for disruption.
- Keep drains and gutters clear.
- For blockages or issues with the stormwater network, phone the council on 09 301 0101.
- Bring rubbish, recycling and foodscraps bins in as soon as you can after being emptied.
- For tree damage on public land, go to the council's website and 'report a problem' online.
- Check your emergency readiness supplies, just in case of power outages.
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