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Wild weather will lash large parts of New Zealand on Tuesday with Auckland and Northland expected to bare the brunt.
"Severe" thunderstorms, damaging tornadoes and flash flooding are possible, and officials are warning some people might have to evacuate.
An active front is set to move across Auckland including Great Barrier Island on Tuesday afternoon and evening bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong northeast winds.
National Emergency Management Agency director John Price said the organisation was working with Civil Defence to ensure they had the resources needed before bad weather arrived.
There is a severe thunderstorm watch and a heavy rain warning in place for Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula - with MetService warning there could be damaging tornados, flash flooding and up to 90mm of rain.
Auckland Civil Defence is urging people in these areas to take advantage of the advanced warning of the bad weather and plan accordingly.
"Now is the time to make sure your bad weather plan is up to date," said Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group (AEM) committee chair Sharon Stewart.
"This includes knowing what you might do if your property or the area you live in is vulnerable to flooding, where you might go if you need to evacuate and what you need to take with you."
Price told AM on Tuesday the best thing Kiwis can do is make a plan and be prepared.
"We are aware of a severe weather situation... so it's simple; take care, be prepared and avoid any unnecessary travel in those locations," Price told co-host Ryan Bridge.
"It's when the conditions get to a state that you shouldn't be out and about. So as you prepare, get a plan in place, know your movements, try and do those and avoid the travel when the conditions actually deteriorate.
"So once those conditions are deteriorating, it's probably too late to be out and about. The safest place is at home, so do some things while you're at home.
Talk to your Whānau, talk to your family and friends, your neighbours. Have a plan," Price said.
People could be doing simple things like clearing gutters, making sure pets are inside and if you're in rural areas, moving livestock to high ground to prepare for the wild weather, he said.
As the wild weather moves towards the region, Aucklanders are urged to remain vigilant and have an emergency plan in place if they need to evacuate, especially those people who live in isolated areas, or areas prone to flooding.
"In the event that people need to evacuate their homes, we are prepared to open shelters and civil defence centres… where they might be needed," said AEM duty controller Parul Sood.
"If you're unable to stay where you are, or can’t shelter with whānau or friends, we strongly encourage people to check the AEM website and social media channels to see whether civil defence centres have been stood up.
"If your life is in danger, call 111 immediately… If you need to evacuate, and it is safe to do so, bring important medications, essential items for babies and children, and warm clothing with you."
Properties next to, above or below houses affected by existing landslides may be at increased risk of further landslides, said Auckland Council head of engineering resilience Ross Roberts.
"In many areas, cliff-top properties with existing landslides may encounter further damage."
Weather warnings and watches
The wild weather has seen MetService issue 15 weather warnings and watches for around New Zealand including a severe thunderstorm watch.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Auckland, Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula from 1pm until at least 10pm on Tuesday.
The forecaster said locals should expect thunderstorm activity to ease in Auckland early in the evening and for the Coromandel Peninsula on Tuesday night.
There is also a severe thunderstorm watch for Northland from 9am to 5pm on Tuesday.
MetService warns an active front is expected to bring thunderstorms, which could be severe, producing localised torrential rain in excess of 40 mm/h and a slight chance of a damaging tornado for these areas.
"Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips," MetService warns.
"Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain. If any tornadoes occur, they will only affect very localised areas."
An orange heavy rain warning has also been issued for Northland from 7am to 7pm on Tuesday, which could bring up to 90mm of rain and thunderstorms may produce downpours of 40mm per hour.
A heavy rain warning is also in place for Auckland including Great Barrier Island, and the Coromandel Peninsula until midnight on Tuesday with 70mm of rain expected.
In the South Island, Grey and Westland Districts are also expected to get battered by heavy rain with a warning in place until 9pm on Tuesday. MetService warns locals should expect a further 240mm of rain and thunderstorms are possible.
Heavy rain warnings are also in place for Mt Taranaki, Tasman from Motueka westwards, Marlborough about and north of the Awatere Valley, also Nelson and Tasman south and east of Motueka, Headwaters of the Canterbury Lakes and Rivers about and south of Arthur's Pass and Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound.
A heavy rain watch has also been issued for the North Taranaki away from the Mountain, and Buller.
Snow is also expected in the south. A road snowfall warning is in place for Crown Range Rd from 1am to 11am on Wednesday.
