Gale force winds across central New Zealand are expected to die down this afternoon, although it's still very windy further south.

The deep low-pressure system which has caused this week's storm is slowly moving south, and MetService says the heavy rain has eased.

Severe gales will continue in the lower North Island and Marlborough until this afternoon and there are warnings in place in these areas.

A Severe Weather Watch is in place for strong southwesterlies in exposed places of Canterbury, from Banks Peninsula northwards, and Hawkes Bay, south of Napier.

The Defence Force is on its way to help people cut off by wild weather in the Coromandel Peninsula.

Red Cross volunteers and Civil Defence staff are also heading into Tararu and Te Puru, north of Thames.

The Thames Coast Road is closed between the two settlements.

Civil Defence controller Gary Towler said the first task is to assess which areas need the most help.

"Today is all about finding out what the hell happened. They're going to look at the people in the communities to make sure they are safe, everyone's ok, and help out those that need some assistance."

Just under three thousand properties are still without power in the central North Island, after damage from the storm.

Powerco says that's down from five thousand at the beginning of the day.

Operations Manager Phil Marsh says 60 staff have been out since 6am working on the main line.

He said helicopters have been sent to check several main lines that go across the Coromandel region.

"Now that is quite rugged and those lines would take a long time to patrol by foot, so we will use a helicopter."

Marsh said helicopters will also be used to check lines in the Waikato region.