Heavy rain is forecast for Northland, the west coast of the North Island and the top of the South Island with MetService and councils monitoring the situation in some areas in case of flooding.
In the North Island, MetService has issued heavy rain warnings for Northland, Waitomo, Tongariro National Park, Taranaki and Horowhenua to Wellington.
In the South Island heavy rain warnings are in place for Tasman from Motueka westwards and Marlborough about and north of the Awatere Valley, also Nelson and Tasman south and east of Motueka.
Significant rainfall for Taranaki – with over 300mm recorded at a couple of stations on the mountain and 87.8mm at New Plymouth Airport. Rain continues overnight and an Orange Heavy Rain Warning remains in place.
The region is under an orange heavy rain warning and 200 to 300mm could fall about the mountain through to 9am on Friday, and 70 to 120mm elsewhere.
Emergency Management said rain had been falling consistently for most of the day and river levels were running high.
The level of the Waitara River in North Taranaki is being monitored closely as heavy rain continues to lash the region.
Nelson City Council is opening emergency accommodation for the homeless community on Thursday night due to severe rain warnings.
Heavy rain is set to lash the top of the South Island from tonight, and orange level rain warnings are in place for Tasman, Marlborough and Nelson from tonight into Saturday.
Credit: radionz.co.nz
