Cyclone Gabrielle is here.

Strong winds and heavy rain are causing damage throughout the upper North Island and the weather is still getting worse.

Nearly 60,000 customers have lost power and lines companies are warning it could take days to restore the power in some areas.

Large waves on top of storm surges, could be destructive on the east coasts.

High tide is around 1.30pm-2pm for the upper North Island.

There are warnings not to shelter or park under large trees - many have fallen in the storm already.

And there is widespread travel disruption - to flights, trains, ships, ferries, and to roads.

Local states of emergency have been declared for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Gisborne, and Opotiki.