Gale-force winds and torrential rain coming to North Island

A tropical cyclone is on a direct path to New Zealand, NZ Herald reports, and forecasters are predicting severe gales and heavy rain. WeatherWatch said the entire North Island was at risk of severe gales. “The storm will move in on Tuesday or Wednesday with gales from the easterly quarter, which turn more southerly with a potentially damaging sting in the tail on Wednesday/Thursday as southerly quarter winds kick in from Cook Strait to Auckland.”