FENZ says it is responding to "multiple weather events" around Auckland, with strong wind warnings upgraded to cover most of the North Island today, as well as the upper West Coast of the South Island.

Lanes on Auckland's Harbour Bridge have been closed as a result of strong winds.

"Due to severe wind gusts all lanes on the Harbour Bridge, in both directions, are temporarily closed," the NZ Transport Agency said.

"Delay your journey or detour via SH18/SH16 (Western Ring Route). Harbour bridge lanes will reopen as soon as gusts become less severe."

Strong wind warnings have been upgraded to cover most of the North Island today, as well as the upper West Coast of the South Island.

Parts of Northland are also without power after cuts earlier this afternoon.

422 Northpower customers lost power shortly after midday at Kaiwaka.

181 Northpower customers are without electricity at Maungaturoto, while a tree damaging power lines has cut 224 customers off around Kaiwaka and 235 customers are without electricity at Mangawhai.

Repairs are still ongoing further north at Kauri, where a tree damaging lines this morning cut power to 285 customers.

Yachtie in the water

A yachtie has ended up in the water north of Auckland, after trying to get clear of the windy conditions.

The Coastguard said the man asked for help because he was worried his mooring line might snap at Leigh.

Kawau volunteers responded but it was not safe for them to reach him, the Coastguard said.

It said the man then tried to get to shore in his tender but he ended up in the water.

Police said emergency services were called at about 2.10pm but the man was safely on land 10 minutes later and was checked by ambulance crews.

'It's an interesting direction'

Earlier, Metservice meteorologist Katie Lyons said campers in the Coromandel would have woken to soggy conditions.

"Unfortunately, things in the Coromandel have deteriorated overnight with that rain setting in. Places in the hills of Coromandel are seeing about 30mm of rain already."

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