MetService has lifted a red thunderstorm warning for Auckland, but a severe thunderstorm watch remains in place for the region and Northland until 9pm.
The wild weather has also left residents to mop up, with power and internet outages across the region.
A severe thunderstorm watch remains in force for Northland and Auckland until 9pm, with MetService warning of a moderate risk storms could become severe about central and western Northland from Kaitaia southwards, and Auckland.
Severe thunderstorms could bring localised downpours of 25 to 40mm an hour.
The red thunderstorm warning was issued for Auckland earlier this afternoon, with MetService warning of “torrential rain”. It expired at around 4pm.
"These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain," MetService said.
"Torrential rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous."
A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson told 1News it had received around 30 weather-related callouts as of 4.30pm.
Most of the calls related to lightning strikes "causing a few minor electrical fires" as well as some reports of flooding, car crashes and alarm activations due to water getting inside.
Police said "a number of minor vehicle crashes" had been reported across the region but there were no serious injuries. Motorists were advised to "ensure they allow time to reach their destination safely, and drive to the conditions".
Civil Defence earlier warned people in affected areas to shelter indoors, avoid standing under trees, and get back to land if they were on the water.
It advised people to move cars under cover or away from trees, secure loose objects, and clear drains and gutters. Motorists should be prepared to stop or slow down, watch for fallen trees and powerlines, and avoid streams and drains.
Power outages had been reported across the city, according to Vector's power outage map.
Internet outages had also been reported in Auckland and beyond, according to Chorus' outage map.
Two polling booths closed
The wild weather caused two polling booths to close early in Auckland today.
A voting place in a portacom at the Pak'nSave Māngere car park had been due to close at 7pm but was forced to shut three hours early, an Electoral Commission spokesperson told 1News.
"Old Flat Bush School Hall in Takanini has also closed early due to the heavy rain." The school hall had been due to remain open until 5pm.
'Deafening cracks'
A social media user from Kaukapakapa said the region was getting a "hiding" with rain "absolutely pouring and deafening cracks and rolling thunder/lightning". They also reported losing power twice.
Another user said their windows were "rattling" and their house was "shaking".
A second watch covering the northern half of the North Island comes into force from midnight until 11am Saturday.
It covers Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupō and Taranaki.
Earlier, the agency warned there could potentially be surface or flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys.
"Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain."
Muggy day for some
It's also set to be a muggy day, 1News weather presenter Erin Conroy told Breakfast, with some regions hitting 30C.
"We're seeing this really warm airflow just take charge, and it's drawing this moist air down from the tropics. And add in the rain and showers, it's kind of those prime frizzy-hair conditions."
Temperatures would be high in the east today, with Hastings hitting 30C and 28C in Christchurch and Ashburton.
"That is set to stick around, especially in the east for some of the weekend.
"That's 10 degrees above where we'd normally be. It's set to peak today, but that is dropping off a little bit over the weekend, but still some warm spots for sure."
How is the weather looking for election day?
Conroy said the best way to avoid a wet voting experience was to "get out early".
She said the South Island was the "pick of the bunch", with rain in the west and scattered showers elsewhere – possibly turning heavy for Nelson and Marlborough.
"They could even spark up a bit of thunder and lightning there. The bottom of the south is probably the pick of the bunch for election day."
It would be a "messy day" for the North Island, Conroy said.
1News weather presenter Erin Conroy tells Breakfast voters should get out early if they want to stay dry. (Source: Breakfast)
"If you're in the lower North, the advice is to get out early and vote. It's a bit drier there, but we've got some quite heavy rain over the top of the North Island, and that's working down through the day."
The top of the North Island might get a bit of a break, but rain could intensify through the day.
"We're looking at some pretty and some potential thunderstorms through that.
"It could be an interesting voting experience."
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