Thousands of campers and concertgoers are facing holiday disruptions as a subtropical storm approaches the top of the country, with Auckland in for a thrashing from this morning.

Skies darkened and the wind ramped up yesterday as the first tropically charged storm of 2023 bore down on the top half of the North Island.

Rain is expected to start falling in Auckland at 9am and keep falling until Thursday, with wind gusts of up to 90km/h in exposed places.

Ferry services to Pine Harbour are being replaced by shuttles due to the adverse weather conditions, Auckland Transport alerted.

Almost all campers abandoned their summer beachside holiday at one Far North campground as strong winds started damaging tents and gazebos yesterday.

The Summer Haze Matakana concert on Wednesday was cancelled due to concerns for the safety of organisers and concertgoers, amid warnings from the Civil Defence and MetService.

Concert director Alex Turnbull said organisers would be refunding the “several thousand” tickets sold, with headline act Fat Freddy’s Drop having to “stand down the bedazzled” planned for the show.

Heavy rain warning in Northland

In Northland, where many have headed for their annual summer holiday, the rain is expected to arrive overnight and fall for 30 hours non-stop.

The region is under a heavy rain warning from 1am tomorrow.

Locals are told to expect between 110mm to 160mm of rain to accumulate mainly in the north and east.

However, the eastern hills may see accumulations of between 200mm to 250mm. Peak rates of 20mm to 30mm/h are expected from tonight.

Heavy rain watch in Auckland, Bay of Plenty

Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Nelson are under heavy rain watches.

MetService says the watch in Auckland - including Great Barrier Island - is in place from 9am until 9am tomorrow; and residents are told that rainfall amounts may approach “warning criteria” particularly in the north and east.

Those in the Coromandel Peninsula can expect periods of heavy rain from 9pm through to 9pm tomorrow. Again, rainfall amounts may reach warning criteria.

The weather authority says the Bay of Plenty, west of Matatā, is in for up to 27 hours of periods of heavy rain from 3am tomorrow until 6am on Friday.

While those in and around Tasman, northwest of Motueka, should be prepared for the same between midnight and midnight tomorrow.

A strong wind watch has also been issued for Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Great Barrier Island, Northland, Taihape, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taupo, Waikato and Waitomo.

Along with the fierce wind and deluges threatening flooding and slips, large swells of up to 6m are also expected to make seaside conditions hazardous on the North Island’s eastern beaches.

Thames Coromandel District Council yesterday warned the thousands of holidaymakers visiting the region to prepare for the deluge.

“Hatch a wet weather plan, especially if you are camping,” said Civil Defence controller Garry Towler.

Whangaruru Beachfront Camp and Motel owner Robynne Cooper said she witnessed a heartbreaking exodus of campers over the past 24 hours.

“Our campground is almost empty. They’re driving out in droves,” said Cooper.

Earl Adams of Earl’s Paradise Camp in Whangapoua, Coromandel, said dozens of campers left Tuesday morning.

“It’s pretty wild here, trees are all about the place. My gazebo just got blown to shreds.”

Adams was disappointed the storm was driving the post-Covid rush of travellers away but had expected it with the forecasts.