Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has declared a state of emergency in the Auckland region which comes into force immediately and will expire in seven days.

In a media stand-up late on Friday evening, Brown said he was following advice from experts and as soon as they said it was time to declare an emergency, he signed it off.

"This declaration reflects the extent of damage, displacement and disruption caused by this evening's severe weather event and enables emergency services and response agencies to draw on resources, and enact additional powers, to assist affected Aucklanders," Brown said in a statement.

Auckland Emergency Management says staff are out assessing flooding with reports of people being rescued from their roofs and MetService has issued its highest level heavy rain warning for the city.

According to NIWA, Auckland has received 75% of a typical summer's rain in just 15 hours.

MetService reported 238mm of rain had fallen across central Auckland on Friday. 52.4 mm fell in Albany in just 1 hour.

MetService has put a severe thunderstorm warning in place for Rodney, Gulf, Auckland City, Waikato, Waitakere, Franklin and Albany.

MetService said the thunderstorms were expected to be accompanied by torrential rain which could cause flooding and make driving conditions extremely hazardous.

Motorists are being advised to stay off the roads in the Auckland region if possible and not to drive through flood waters.

Police are warning drivers to take care when travelling through water-logged roads.

Auckland Airport has closed its international terminal check-in area to visitors due to flooding inside the building.

Roads at Auckland Airport continue to be impacted by widespread flooding, along with the check-in and arrivals areas of the international terminal.

Due to the damage, no domestic or international flights will be arriving or departing from Auckland Airport before noon Saturday, 28 January.

All Auckland beaches are now rated high or very high risk for swimming as flood waters overwhelmed wastewater systems.

Auckland's SafeSwim website said every beach was now at red or black alert, the highest rating.

At black level, residents are advised baldly - Do not swim.

Auckland Emergency Management has opened two further Civil Defence Centres to assist those that have been displaced or need assistance following the recent severe weather – one on the North Shore and one in the South.

One of the centres has been established at the North Shore Events Centre (Eventfinda Stadium) at 17 Silverfield, Wairau Valley.

Auckland Emergency Management’s Duty Controller Andrew Clark says this has been a fast-evolving and far-reaching event.

“The flooding we have seen has been widespread and our first responders are working hard to urgently get to those who need assistance.

“We now have three Civil Defence Centres open for those who need to evacuate and cannot stay with friends or whānau – one in the west, one in the north and another in the south.

“If you do need to evacuate, please take care and remember to bring essential items with you, such as warm clothes, medicines and baby items.

“Please remember to never drive through floodwaters.

“If you are in immediate danger, please call 111 – but please only do so in an emergency so that those in trouble can be prioritised.”

Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty has issued the following statement:

Government steps up to assist Auckland’s response

Now that the Mayor of Auckland has announced a state of emergency, the government, through NEMA, is able to step up support for those affected by flooding in Auckland.

“Staff from NEMA and the New Zealand Defence Force have been deployed to assist in the response,” Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty said.

“NEMA has been closely monitoring this event and has activated the National Coordination Centre in the Beehive to coordinate further assistance to the response.

“I’d urge people to follow the advice of authorities and check Auckland Emergency Management for the latest information. As always, the government will assist as needed.

“I’d like to acknowledge all the agencies whose staff are working hard to manage the impacts of this severe weather. Stay safe and call 111 if you or anyone else is in danger.”

If you need help

• To report flooding, damage to drains, or stormwater issues, please log your issue online at https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/report-problem/Pages/report-a-problem.aspx
• If your life is at risk, phone 111
• If you need urgent accommodation assistance, phone us on 0800 22 22 00.
• For welfare assistance, you can call the Ministry of Social Development on 0800 400 100.

Stay safe.