Travellers in the central North Island are being warned of road closures on State Highway 1 - between Turangi and Rangipo

Severe winds and heavy downpours are hitting the country, felling trees and blowing out windows in the capital.

Wellington council says the wind appears to be easing but people should still be wary of falling trees - and motorists are asked to follow detours and to delay travel where possible. . Flights are back up and running in the city - and additional services are flying passengers affected by this morning's cancellations.

Further south - a whopping 400mm of rain has fallen on mountains on the West Coast.