Much of the Upper North Island is being battered by high winds, rain and thunderstorms.

Further south in Tāmaki Makaurau Metservice said a line of severe thunderstorms  made its way from Marsden Point, southeast over Ruakaka and Henderson to sit above Wellsford and Auckland from Midday.

Sunnyvale School in west Auckland has posted on social media, asking parents to come and get their children quickly, as surrounding streets are flooding.

Rachel Kelleher is the Deputy Controller for Auckland Emergency Management and spoke to Max Towle.