Heavy rain in the Whakatāne area is beginning to cause localised flooding, affecting some major roads. Photo: Julia Sudnitskaya / 123RF
Slips have come down in heavy rain in central Bay of Plenty, isolating at least three communities - Rūātoki, Awahau and Tāneatua.
A heavy rain watch is in place from Rotorua to Te Kaha.
All Rūātoki residents connected to the council supply are on a boil water notice.
Whakatāne District Council communications manager Alexandra Pickles said they were working with the regional council, which monitors rainfall data and river levels.
Pickles said there was one large slip on Valley Road, close to Whakatāne.
Major road closed
Earlier, part of State Highway 2 in Bay of Plenty was closed due to slips as heavy rain caused localised flooding in Whakatāne.
Waka Kotahi said the Waimana Gorge section of the highway between Awakeri and Kutarere was closed until further notice.
It said lighter vehicles could detour through Wainui Road, but warned river levels were rising in the area.
The Waioeka Gorge has experienced rockfall also but remained open as contractors inspected the damage.
Whakatāne Mayor Victor Luca said residents were hunkering down amid heavy downpours, and urged them to conserve water.
Luca said there had been some minor slips and surface flooding, but systems were holding for the time being.
"I'm just watching the river level intently and waiting for a callout… so we'll see how we go. We're just monitoring and on standby - things are holding up okay."
Rain moving south
Significant rain has been forecast for a swathe of the country in the coming days. Warnings and watches were in force for many areas, and more were likely to be added.
Northland was expected to get a soaking starting midday Wednesday.
Orange heavy rain warnings are also in place in Taranaki, the West Coast of the South Island and Fiordland. MetService said the rain would ramp up in Taranaki tomorrow with the possibility of flooding, slips and rising rivers.
Later on Wednesday, about 9pm, heavy rain was expected to arrive in Horowhenua and the Wellington region.
Meanwhile, a heavy rain watch was in place in Bay of Plenty and the Tasman region northeast of Motueka.
It was expected to spread to Tongariro National Park on Thursday.
The top of the South Island then will get a soaking, starting Thursday evening.
Nick Smith. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith warned residents to check and clear drains and guttering in preparation.
MetService had a heavy rain warning in place for Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough north of the Wairau Valley from 9pm Thursday until 3pm Saturday.
Up to 300mm of rain was expected in the Richmond and Bryant ranges and the Rai Valley, with up to 150mm elsewhere.
The heavy rain could cause surface flooding and slips, as streams and rivers rise rapidly.
Meanwhile, a heavy rain watch was in place for Tākaka and Golden Bay.
Road warning
Motorists are being warned to be extra vigilant on the roads.
Waka Kotahi regional performance manager Mark Owen said past experience showed slips, tree falls and flooding could happen quickly, resulting in road closures at short notice.
He said drivers needed to be ready and take extra care if they were travelling.