There is a reprieve for the Manawatū town of Feilding.
The Makino floodgates Photo: Facebook / Horizons Regional Council
It was feared the township would flood after heavy rain over the past 24 hours.
Preparations were put in place to close the Makino Stream floodgates in order to divert the waterflow.
But the Horizons Regional Council said that the rivers failed to reach critical flood levels.
Spokesman Craig Grant said the heavy band of rain forecast by MetService did not produce as much rain as anticipated.
"As a result the river levels we were predicting and preparing for this afternoon didn't eventuate and an operation of the Makino Stream floodgates is unnecessary," he said in a statement.
"However, we will keep the spillway clear in case this changes and thank landowners in the area for their assistance with this."
He said with more rain expected tonight, the river systems will be monitored for the rest of the long weekend as a precaution.
Meanwhile, New Plymouth experienced a winter month's worth of rain in just four hours this morning.
Heavy rain has fallen in many areas of the North Island today, causing slips and flooding on the highway network.
MetService said an exceptional 138 millimetres was recorded at Cape Egmont between 6am and 10am.
It said that is the same amount New Plymouth would get during the whole of a typical July.
Taranaki Civil Defence said people should not drive or walk through floodwaters, because parts of the road could be washed away or contain debris.
It said all floodwater should be treated as contaminated and unsafe.