Torrential rain and thunderstorms across Auckland
The severe weather is causing hazardous conditions across Auckland with torrential rain and surface flooding, thunderstorms, and gusts of 90 km/h in exposed areas.
Emergency services are assisting with incidents including vehicle collisions, a submerged car in Northcote and a collapsed roof at Point Chevalier Countdown.
Orewa College and Red Beach School have closed for the day and moved towards online learning due to the heavy weather in north Auckland causing a health and safety issue.
More than 4000 lighting strikes have been recorded in Auckland and lower Northland from 7am to 8am, and more than 700 in five minutes.
Police are urging motorists to take care when driving, slow down and drive to the conditions looking out for potential hazards until conditions ease.
Stay up to date with the forecast on the MetService Website.
Poll: Is the increase in disability parking fines fair?
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
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89.1% Yes, it's fair
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10.3% No, it's unreasonable
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0.7% Other - I'll share below
There's no better feeling then; the job is done, the customer is happy and the weekend starts up.
"Floating shelves", don't float up by them self. :-)
Smoke in Mt Wellington
Smoke has been seen coming from the crater of the Auckland maunga Mt Wellington.
Images of the smoke began appearing on social media on Friday afternoon.
Around 1.45pm, Fire and Emergency (Fenz) shift manager Josh Pennefather told the NZ Herald a crew was fighting a fire of about 60 square metres in size.
”It’s spreading up hill … [but] there’s no property at risk at this stage,” Pennefather said.
Six fire trucks were in attendance working to contain a grass fire that's spreading up the maunga.
A helicopter was on its way to assist firefighting efforts, he added.
At 2pm, Pennefather shared that the fire was contained and they were working to extinguish it, including “keeping an eye on a whole bunch of hot spots“.