Some 46,000 homes have lost power as Cyclone Gabrielle lashes the north of New Zealand.

Authorities have issued warnings of heavy rain and winds, and hundreds of flights have been cancelled.

Some areas have declared a state of emergency, as Gabrielle nears the North Island.

It comes weeks after Auckland and surrounding areas were hit by record rainfall that sparked floods and killed four people.

"Extreme weather event has come on the back of extreme weather event," said New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who announced a NZ$11.5m (£6m; US$7.3m) aid package.

"Things are likely to get worse before they get better."

It's like reading about another country. Where I am it got a bit windy, but nothing extreme, rained a lot, but nothing excessive. Been worse winds/ rains last year, but nothing with the effect of what happened in Auckland now.

 

I must live in a lucky area.

The folks of NZ are tough they will weather this just fine,the only Person from NZ I knew really well grew up on a farm a very very creative tough genuine guy I’m the better for it great friend great country great folks

Listening to the radio it sounds bad for some areas that may have to go without electricity for some time yet, while other areas suffered nothing more than minor wind blown debris.

 

For sure, it's shown up the lack of spending on infrastructure for many years in Auckland.

 

There are going to be many investigations into such as why cell towers failed at a critical time.