Severe weather is also battering Auckland

Emergency services have been responding to the partial collapse of a building on Blockhouse Bay Road in Avondale.

Surface flooding, downed power lines, fallen trees and damaged buildings are also affecting other parts of the city, and a tree has fallen onto a house in Mangere.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning's in effect for GULF, AUCKLAND CITY, WAIKATO, HAURAKI and FRANKLIN.

The rest of Auckland remains under a severe thunderstorm watch.