Heavy rain and high winds have hampered official Waitangi Day commemorations in Auckland this afternoon.

Government House has cancelled the Bledisloe Garden Reception, which the Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae and Prime Minister John Key were due to attend.

The Governor-General will still be marking Waitangi Day with a special citizenship ceremony for 25 people from 21 countries, at 2.45.

NZTA said high winds have also made it impossible to fly the Tino Rangatiratanga flag from Auckland Harbour Bridge today and all flags have been removed for the remainder of the day.

Safety engineers said it would be unsafe for staff to raise the flag, and it could also become a traffic hazard if it ripped or flew away.