Flight changes, ferry service cancellations, and reduced driving speeds - as wild weather hits parts of the upper North Island

MetService has issued strong wind and severe thunderstorm warnings - for parts of Waikato, Hauraki, Coromandel Peninsula - through to Auckland and Kaipara.

Severe gale southwesterlies could gust 120 kilometres an hour in exposed places - and Air New Zealand's warning flights leaving Auckland may change at short notice.

Birkenhead ferries won't stop at Northcote Point for the time being - and NZTA's advising care on the Harbour Bridge.

Numerous power outages have been reported in rural South Auckland and Waikato.