Police have warned Bay of Plenty motorists to take extra care on the roads today with a severe weather warning in place for heavy rain and gales.
MetService has issues a Severe Weather Watch for Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty.
A warning is in force for heavy rain in the Eastern Bay of Plenty and Tongariro National Park, as well as the north and west of the South Island and Taranak.
Northerly gales may become severe in the Bay of Plenty for a time Monday morning or afternoon as a trough moves across from the west.
Police said drivers should allow extra time for their trip, make sure they make proper use of headlights and keeping speed down so they are driving to the conditions.