Cyclone Cook was a Category 1 cyclone earlier today but was this afternoon downgraded to an ex-cyclone. This is a technical change and the storm remains dangerous. The latest tracking on Thursday is more concerning for New Zealand with Cook likely to make landfall in the afternoon or evening around western Bay of Plenty then track southwards through the North Island and down the South Island’s east coast.

Major cities like Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin may all have a burst of severe weather from not only Cook but also the Tasman Sea low it is now merging with around New Zealand.

We take a look at the latest tracking and forecasts as we head into Wednesday PM and Thursday.