The Aratere. File pic Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
High seas forecast in the Cook Strait this evening have disrupted multiple sailings.
KiwiRail has issued a warning to passengers to brace for a rough ride, with a southerly change expected to cause sea swells of more than 4 metres from around 7pm.
Bluebridge says the bad weather has cancelled its overnight and morning Strait Feronia sailings, while KiwiRail has updated the Aratere Interislander's departure times to avoid the worst of it.
Strong southerlies have seen cancellations or diversions for Jetstar and Air New Zealand flights in and out of Queenstown Airport.
Vector Electricity says a power outage in Auckland seemingly caused by lightning has been resolved.
Residents in Mt Eden reported power outages at around 2pm today, immediately after an exceptionally loud thunderstrike.
But Vector says it is still investigating the exact cause of the outage. It says power was restored by around 3pm.
Wellington drivers are being warned downpours forecast for this afternoon could affect the motorway into the city. A southerly change later today could bring thunderstorms and possibly hail, as well as heavy rain.
There are also heavy rain watches in place for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty, with possible thunderstorms forecast Monday.
Look back over our updates on RNZ's blog:
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
