Wellington: In the upper North Island of New Zealand, approximately 58,000 homes are without power as Cyclone Gabrielle approaches and brings powerful winds, copious rain, and enormous swells to Auckland and surrounding areas.

Although its most destructive winds missed Norfolk Island, Gabrielle passed by the Australian territory in the Tasman Sea on Saturday night.

As it approaches to land on Monday and Tuesday, rain and winds are expected to pick up intensity. It is currently sitting just north of New Zealand.

According to Rachel Kelleher, Deputy Controller of Auckland Emergency Management, "The impact of Gabrielle is still in its early stages and more serious and severe weather is still expected for Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland), later today into Tuesday morning."

She continued, "This is not the time for complacency."

People are being urged not to travel if at all possible as a result of the closure of numerous schools and local government offices throughout Auckland and the upper North Island. At least four other regions, including Auckland, have declared states of emergency.

In the past 12 hours, Whangarei, a city north of Auckland, received 100.5 mm of rain (4 inches), according to the meteorological agency Metservice, and winds of 159 km/h (100 mph) were recorded off the coast of Auckland.

Around 58,000 homes were without electricity, according to Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty, and it could take some time for power to be restored.

Aircraft, ferries, buses, and trains have either been suspended from service or are operating on a reduced schedule, according to McAnulty.

Air New Zealand announced in a statement that after canceling 509 flights due to the cyclone, it will start flying again on Tuesday. To aid in the recovery efforts, it is adding 11 extra domestic flights to its schedule.

150 personnel have been located by the New Zealand Defense Force in Auckland and the surrounding areas, and they are delivering humanitarian aid to shelters and civil defense facilities.

This cyclone is the second significant weather event to recently affect Auckland and the upper North Island. Four people were killed by floods and record rainfall that hit Auckland and the surrounding areas last month.

According to McAnulty, the emergency and recovery response system is being taxed by the two significant events.

He claimed that "a lot of people are feeling tired and stressed about what's happening."