Photo: Unsplash / Erik Witsoe
Severe rain warnings are in place for Tai Rāwhiti through the weekend, and there are warnings for other eastern parts of the motu.
The area north of Tologa Bay could expect 200-350mm in addition to the rain that has already fallen, MetService said, with the orange warning in place through to midday Sunday.
Another 150-200mm was forecast for the ranges farther south, and 50-100 mm of rain in coastal areas south of Tolaga Bay.
The drenching may cause slips, flooding, and hazardous driving conditions. Thunderstorms were also possible.
The rain will ease then return for Friday, and wet weather will continue into the weekend for the eastern coast, MetService meteorologist John Law told Morning Report.
"Along with some pretty blustery strong north-easterly winds."
State Highway 35 north of Gisborne which was closed by flooding overnight has reopened.
More than 50 homes were without power in Anaura Bay on Thursday morning because of a downed power pole.
In Ruatoria, 36 households on Tapuaeroa Road were disconnected, and staff were en-route to Tauwhareparae inland from Tolaga Bay to look at what caused 49 properties to lose power there. In Mahia, 161 properties were also without power.
Coromandel and Bay of Plenty west of Te Puke were under an orange warning through to 3pm on Friday, with 140 to 180 mm of rain - especially about Coromandel Peninsula - forecast.
Rainfall totals may reach warning criteria in the eastern part of Marlborough, south of Ward, Laws said.
Heavy rain eased in Northland and Auckland on Thursday morning, MetService lifting warnings for those areas.