The South Island's West Coast has been hit with stormy weather overnight, with lightning striking 10,000 times in the space of two hours.
The thunderstorms were working their way up the coast, beginning in Fiordland at 1am.
At one point lightning bolts were flashing 45 times per minute.
The West Coast is also being battered with heavy rainfall, with up to 160mm over a 36-hour period in Westland and 120mm in the Canterbury and Otago headwaters, according to MetService.
MetService has issued a severe wind warning for Otago and Canterbury as well as Wellington and the Wairarapa.
It said storms would continue to barrage the entire West Coast for the rest of the day.
Residents have been warned of the possibility of flooding and slips, with rising waterways and hazardous driving conditions.
A storm warning is in place for Cook Strait ahead of 100km/h winds expected this afternoon, and ferry sailings across Wellington Harbour have been reduced.
Last night flights were delayed and cancelled in and out of Dunedin Airport because of high winds.
In contrast, Dunedin is experiencing high temperatures sweeping in from Australia, already at 20 degrees by 6am.
Newshub.
