A Heavy Rain Watch for the Coromandel Peninsula has now been upgraded to a Heavy Rain Warning. Heavy Rain Watches remain in force for Great Barrier Island, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and eastern Marlborough.

The Bay of Plenty heavy rain watch is in place from 8pm Friday, June 16 to 12pm, Sunday June 18.

The Coromandel Peninsula heavy rain warning is in place from 8pm Friday, June 16 to 2pm Saturday, June 17.

'A low pressure system to the northeast of the North Island stays slow moving Friday night and during Saturday, bringing moist east to northeast winds to northern and central New Zealand. The low extends a trough to the west of the North Island, while a weak ridge builds over the south of the South Island during Saturday,” says a MetService spokesperson.

'There is still uncertainty with the distribution and intensity of the heaviest rain, and people are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case any other of these Watches are upgraded to Warnings or new areas are added.”

For the latest Tauranga forecast, visit the MetService website.

Here are the full list of heavy rain watches across the country:

Area: Bay of Plenty from Edgecumbe westwards
Valid: 40 hours from 8:00pm Fri 16 Jun to 12:00pm Sun 18 Jun
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria. Thunderstorms are possible.
Note, rain is expected to continue during the remainder of Sunday, and the Watch may be extended

Area: Great Barrier Island
Valid: 27 hours from 8:00pm Fri 16 Jun to 11:00pm Sat 17 Jun
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria. Thunderstorms are possible.

Area: Gisborne/Tairawhiti
Valid: 45 hours from 3:00am Sat 17 Jun to 12:00am Mon 19 Jun
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, especially about the ranges. Thunderstorms are possible.

Area: Hawke's Bay from Waikoau southwards
Valid: 51 hours from 9:00am Sat 17 Jun to 12:00pm Mon 19 Jun
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria. Thunderstorms are possible.

Area: Eastern Marlborough south of Ward
Valid: 30 hours from 3:00am Sun 18 Jun to 9:00am Mon 19 Jun
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.