Vector said throughout today, crews made “steady progress” to get the lights back on for the last remaining customers still without power since ex-tropical Cyclone Tam hit the Auckland region.

The electrical storm overnight, along with fallen trees and branches, has made things more difficult than expected in some areas, Vector said. 

“In some cases, faults have multiple issues which we do not discover until work starts. This can make precise restoration times challenging and changeable in some cases.

“Crews are continuing to work tonight, where it is safe to do so.”

Vector said they have advised a small number of customers that they won’t be able to get to them until tomorrow, and some repairs may take until Monday to fix.

“We know this is really frustrating - especially for those who’ve been without power for a while - and we really appreciate your patience.”

The centre opened at 4:30am at the Fickling Convention Centre, following an intense weather system overnight which caused significant flooding in parts of Auckland. 

Throughout the day, the centre provided basic shelter and support for 27 people displaced by the weather event. All those who were unable to return home today have been moved into emergency accommodation.

Auckland Emergency Management is continuing to monitor the weather closely and is equipped to re-open centres overnight or tomorrow if needed.

Severe weather continues to cause disruption across Air New Zealand’s network, particularly affecting regional services in and out of Rotorua, Tauranga and Whangārei, as well as some transtasman and Pacific Island routes.

As of 4.30pm, the airline had operated more than 260 of its scheduled 388 flights, with 15 weather-related cancellations and 106 flights still scheduled for the day.

Air New Zealand chief operating officer Alex Marren said the network remained largely operational while there had been some disruption.

Four flights were diverted overnight, with flow-on effects through the day. However, an additional Wellington-Auckland service was added, allowing all disrupted customers to be rebooked, most of whom were already back in Auckland by this afternoon.

MetService said ex-tropical Cyclone Tam remains in the Tasman Sea, with its rain bands continuing to sweep across New Zealand.

The system is expected to gradually shift eastward.

Power has been restored to thousands of Auckland residents who lost electricity overnight in the surprise thunderstorm.

Vector said at its peak, about 20,000 homes lost power in the severe weather event connected to Cyclone Tam. However, crews working throughout the night managed to restore electricity to the majority very quickly.

The Auckland region is likely to experience more wild weather this afternoon, with MetService issuing severe thunderstorm warnings and a watch that extends until 6pm tonight.

Auckland Emergency Management general manager Adam Maggs said suburbs across the region, from Rodney to Franklin, could be impacted. He urged residents to monitor weather updates and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.

“It has been a particularly intense few days weather-wise for our region, and that’s expected to continue throughout the afternoon,” Maggs said.

People are advised to report blocked or overflowing street drains by calling 09 301 0101 and to use the council’s "Report a Problem" page for fallen trees.

MetService said people should keep an eye out for thunderstorms across parts of the North Island tomorrow, especially over northern Gisborne, Auckland, southern Northland, Waikato and Waitomo.

Auckland councillor Richard Hills said parts of Auckland, including the North Shore, received more than a month’s worth of rain in just over an hour.

“100mm of rain fell in the red parts [of the map], including large parts of the Shore and Central suburbs. Sadly, some homes and streets were flooded again, thinking of those affected,” Hills said.

Hills said Auckland nearly beat the records set in 2022, and beat the highest hour of rain during the 2023 floods.