Heavy rain could hit East Coast and Taranaki regions

From late tonight, heavy rain is expected on the east coast of the North Island from Coromandel Peninsula to Wairarapa, and in Taranaki.

MetService has issued a heavy rain warning for Ruahine Range and the inland ranges of Hawke's Bay from 10pm tonight until 4am on Tuesday. Up to 150mm of rain could fall, with peak rates possibly reaching 20 mm per hour in high areas around Hawke's Bay.

Heavy rain watches are in place for Coromandel Peninsula until 4pm today, for Bay of Plenty west of Whakatāne until 10pm, and for Tairāwhiti /Gisborne from 10pm tonight until noon on Tuesday.

Further heavy rain watches have been issued for Wairarapa from Carterton northwards and areas of Tararua District from 10pm tonight until 4am on Tuesday, and for Taranaki until 10am tomorrow.

MetService said a low pressure system was moving across northern New Zealand today.

"The low is expected to slowly move northeast away from the North Island during Monday and Tuesday and weaken.

"Rain is expected to affect many North Island places," MetService said.