It's a day of severe weather for many parts of the country

Strong winds have been battering the Canterbury Plains -- leaving hundreds of homes and businesses across North Canterbury without power.

A Heavy Rain Warning is in place for Mount Taranaki, the Tararua Range, the Otago Headwaters, and northern Fiordland.

And Meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane says a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in now in place for much of the Waikato, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Whanganui-Manawatu, Wellington and Marlborough regions.

She says people should be aware of a possible thunderstorm if a warning is in place for their area.