Auckland's mayor is awaiting further advice on declaring a State of Emergency.
Wayne Brown said Aucklanders should be on high alert as widespread flooding and torrential rain moves through the region.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to continue into the evening, potentially through to midnight Tuesday.
Some are already evacuating in West Auckland as roads flood, water laps at the doors of businesses, homes become inundated, and schools evacuate.
State Highway One north of Auckland has been closed by slips and flooding - that's road from Brynderwyn Hills to Waipu and Dome Valley.
Max Towle spoke to reporters Katie Fitzgerald and Rowan Quinn.
