By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission
Several Auckland schools have closed and residents in Northland and Auckland are urged to take shelter as a severe thunderstorm and heavy rain travels down the North Island.
MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the areas of Kaipara, Far North, Whangārei and Rodney.
A severe thunderstorm watch is already in force for Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula.
More than 4000 lightning strikes were recorded in the Auckland and lower Northland regions, with more than 700 in the space of five minutes earlier this morning.
The National Emergency Management Agency is urging people to take shelter inside, away from windows as the weather hits early this morning.
Meanwhile, five people are missing and a significant search and rescue operation is under way off the North Cape at the top of the North Island.
