Severe thunderstorm warning for Dunedin region

Hundreds of people are without power in Mosgiel near Dunedin, and also in Southland.

Very heavy rain, lightning and hail is bearing down on Dunedin and the surrounding areas.

Electricity provider Aurora said several hundred households are currently without power in Mosgiel. Their website estimates a restoration time of 10.30pm.

In Southland, dozens of smaller scale outages have cut power to rural areas east of Invercargill and north of Gore.

MetService earlier issued a severe thunderstorm warning over Dunedin and Clutha which has since been lifted.