Wild weather: First storm of 2018

A summer storm began battering much of New Zealand after the low arrived on 4 January.

Matauri Bay in the Far North. Photo: Janene Hopkins

Trees that had been standing at least 15 years south of Ruawai in Northland torn down by the storm, early on Friday morning. "Good gusts 80kph on wind gauge". Photo: Tony Wright

A yacht is damaged in the storm at Tamaki Drive. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook

Heathcote River. Photo: Logan Church

A listener on a boat in the Bay of Islands as the weather started to hit on Thursday. "Torrential rain and 35 knot winds here so far ... but it’s due to get a lot worse yet so holding our breath." Photo: Graeme Leigh

A tree lies across Longmile Road in Rotorua, a popular access road to the redwood walks on Friday morning. Photo: RNZ / Phil Pennington

A tree came down across the road in Warkworth. Photo: Sarah Robson

Little Shoal Bay in Auckland's North Shore on Friday morning. Photo: NIWA

A yacht off its moorings in Auckland Harbour. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook

Storm clouds in Tuahine point at Wainui Beach, Gisborne. Photo: Steve Gibbs

Tamaki Drive was closed on Friday morning. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook

The driver of this car in Ōtāhuhu had a lucky escape when a large pine tree fell on her vehicle. Photo: Facebook / Counties Manukau Fire Area

The new Dudley Creek bypass in Christchurch. Photo: Christchurch City Council

The Thames Coast Rd in the Coromandel on Friday morning. Photo: Thames Coromandel District Council

Thames Marina on Friday morning. Photo: Supplied

Flooding near Thames Marina on Friday morning. Photo: Supplied

Missing Bay in Auckland just after High Tide on Friday. Photo: Niwa / Twitter

Flooding at Gulf Harbour in Whangaparaoa, Auckland. Photo: Niwa / Twitter

Whangapoua Wharf, north of Whitianga in Coromandel. The king tide is covering the road and has completely covered a private wharf. Photo: Lloyd Whalen

Kawakawa Bay out from Clevedon about 9am on Friday. "Water across the road now and still nearly 2hrs to go before high tide". Photo: Graham Cochrane

Crews work to free a person trapped in a car in Rotorua when a tree fell on the vehicle. Photo: RNZ / Phil Pennington

"There is still more bad weather out there so please take care. Wild morning by the beach with the roar of the wind and the surf. Our small bach shaking on its foundations in the gale force winds!" Photo: Phil Goff / Twitter

Whangapoua Wharf, north of Whitianga in Coromandel. The king tide is covering the road and has completely covered a private wharf. Photo: Lloyd Whalen