Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Gale southerlies and heavy rain are easing in eastern parts of the North Island, MetService says, with all previous warnings and watches no longer in force.
However, showers are expected to persist in Wairoa until early Sunday morning with a further 10 to 20 mm possible on top of what has already fallen.
Civil Defence urged people on Friday in Wairoa to avoid all non-essential travel, as severe weather led to debris and fallen rocks on the roads.
Civil Defence local controller for Wairoa, Juanita Savage, said officials were monitoring the river levels closely.
Meanwhile, it will be mainly fine in the North Island on Saturday, with a few morning showers in Hawke's Bay and Gisborne.
There is also some rain in the South Island on Saturday, particularly in the south and west, and spreading to Canterbury in the afternoon.
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