Photo: 123RF
Heavy rain warnings and watches are in place for parts of central New Zealand, predicted to ease by tomorrow morning.
MetService has issued orange heavy rain warnings for Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Tararua, Kapiti-Horowhenua, Wairarapa and Wellington, until 7am.
A heavy rain watch is in place for the part of Bay of Plenty from Whakatane westwards, the central plateau of the North Island from Tongoriro to the Kaimanawa Range, and Buller.
There is also a severe thunderstorm watch for the Auckland region.
There is a low risk of thunderstorms with heavy rain through the area tonight and before dawn on Saturday.
For Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula and northern and eastern Waikato there is a moderate risk of localised downpours (25 to 40 mm per hour).