Karangahake Gorge and State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range between Hanga Rd and Old Kaimai Rd are both closed due to flooding and multiple fallen trees.

In Tauranga there are many reports of trees and debris covering the roads in multiple locations, and they're still coming down, says Tauranga City Council.

"A tree was blown down blocking Waihi Road just downhill from Paine Street," says Quentin Armstrong. "Emergency services have just cleared debris off road 10 mins ago for traffic to come through."

There is a fallen tree across State Highway 2 at Whakamarama between Katikati and Tauranga, and another fallen tree on SH2 at Bethlehem. Motorists are advised to take caution.

"Emergency services and our contractors are responding as quickly as possible, but we need people to avoid all unnecessary travel,' says a council spokesperson.

"Should you discover a fallen streetlight or power pole, do not attempt to move or touch it as there may be a risk of electrocution.

"If you feel unsafe in your home as a result of this weather event, please evacuate to friends or whānau, or to an emergency shelter."

If you need to report falling trees, debris or power poles please call Tauranga City Council Contact Centre 24/7 on 07 577 7000.

Emergency services and council contractors are repsonding as quickly as possible to reports of downed powerlines, falling trees and debris. Photo: Cameron Avery.

Power cuts affecting hundreds of properties

Power is out to hundreds of properties as high winds strengthen across the Western Bay of Plenty.

A power cut at 9.10pm has affected 492 properties in Bethlehem. In central Tauranga over 200 properties are without power.

Bellevue also had a power cut, at 10.09pm with 405 properties affected.

In Lower Kaimai, 93 properties had an outage at 10.16pm. Earlier, at 7.06pm 77 properties in Lower Kaimai lost power.

On Matakana Island, 193 properties had a power cut due to strong wind.

There are 887 properties affected by a power outage in Te Puna. The power there went out at 9.54pm.

Athenree has 566 properties without power when an outage occurred at 8.40pm.

There are hundreds of properties affected by power cuts across Te Puke, Pukehina, Te Ranga, Paengaroa and Pongakawa.

Site investigations are underway for the power outages, and it is unknown at this stage when power will be restored.

Thousands of properties across the Waikato and Coromandel regions are also without power.

Emergency services and council contractors are repsonding as quickly as possible to reports of downed powerlines, falling trees and debris. Photo: Cameron Avery.

Karangahake Gorge

Due to multiple slips and areas of flooding, State Highway 2 between Paeroa and Waihi at Karangahake Gorge is closed. Avoid this route or delay your journey if possible.

Widespread severe weather

Cyclone Gabrielle is bringing widespread significant severe weather to northern and central parts of New Zealand

Cyclone Gabrielle is expected to continue moving southeast, tracking close to the east coast of the North Island, before moving away to the southeast from late Tuesday.

This is a widespread and significant weather event. Significant heavy rain and damaging winds are impacting many parts of northern and central New Zealand. In addition, large waves, storm surges and coastal inundation are affecting exposed eastern coasts of the North Island.

Further signifcant heavy rain and damaging winds are expected into Tuesday. Red Warnings for Heavy Rain remain in force for Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay. In addition, Red Warnings for severe gales remain in place for Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula, and Taranaki. Warnings and Watches for both heavy rain and severe gales also remain in place for many other parts of central and northern New Zealand.

It is important to keep up to date with the latest MetService forecasts and follow the advice of local authorities.