Multiple regions across the country are expecting to see up to 20 hours of downpours starting from this morning.

Heavy rain warnings have also been issued for Bay of Plenty from late morning and lasting until after midnight.  Farmers with stock on low-lying land beside the Rangitāiki River, and particularly upstream from Te Teko, were urged to move to higher ground due to a risk of flooding.

A thunderstorm watch is also in place for the region.

A front accompanied by a band of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms moves east across the upper North Island today, the MetService said in its latest weather udate.

"This evening and at night there is a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms for the Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty including Rotorua and the far north of Gisborne with localised downpours bringing rainfall intensities of 25 to 40 mm/h.

"Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips."

NZTA is warning people to take extra care on the roads. 

"Wet roads can be slippery, so road users should reduce their speed, increase their following distances, and be prepared for the possibility of slips, rockfalls, and flooding," said a statement from the roading agency.

"Strong winds can be hazardous for trucks, vans, campervans, towing vehicles, and motorcycles. Road users should be prepared for sudden gusts, crosswinds, fallen trees, and wind-blown debris – particularly in exposed areas."

Below are the current warnings and watches in place from MetService. 

These are expected to be updated at around 10am this morning.

Heavy Rain Warnings

• Bay of Plenty (about and west of Opotiki): 10am today until 3am tomorrow
• Bay of Plenty (east of Opotiki):12pm today until 10am tomorrow
• Tasman District (northwest of Motueka): 3am today until 6pm tonight
• Tasman & Nelson Districts (about and southeast of Motueka), and Marlborough (north of the Wairau River): 6am today until 9pm tonight
• Tairāwhiti / Gisborne (north of Ruatoria): 4pm today until 12pm tomorrow
• Northern Taihape & Tongariro National Park: 10am today until 12pm today
• Taranaki Maunga 8am today until 7pm tonight

Heavy Rain Watches

• Northland: 11am today until 8pm tonight
• Great Barrier Island & Coromandel Peninsula: 12pm today until 11pm tonight
• Auckland: 12pm today until 9pm tonight
• Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taupō & North Taranaki: 12pm today until 12am tomorrow
• North Otago & Dunedin: 3pm today until 3am tomorrow

Strong Wind Watch

• Northland: 6am today until 6pm tonight
• Auckland: 9am today until 6pm tonight

Heavy Snow Watch

• Canterbury (south of the Rangitata River), Queenstown Lakes District & Central Otago: 5am today until 5pm this afternoon