A potentially highly damaging "rainmaker" has moved onto northern New Zealand

It's forced Northland into a state of emergency - and more than one-thousand homes in the Far North are without power.

Most of the affected homes are north of Kaitaia, between Awanui and Waiharara.

MetService has also issued a Red Heavy Rain Warning for Auckland north of Orewa - and the Coromandel Peninsula.

Auckland's Mayor is urging people to stay home if possible and schools and learning facilities have closed for the week.

Council has also shut all non-essential community facilities, such as pools and libraries.

The Government is providing another one-million dollars for Auckland's flood relief fund, after Friday's damaging deluge.