A severe weather watch has been issued for Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty as heavy rain pelts the city.
Heavy rainfall, meeting the warning criteria of 50mm in six hours, is expected to last until late this afternoon, with possible thunderstorms.
A slow-moving low over the Tasman Sea is weakening, but it continues to direct a very moist northeasterly airstream onto the country.
Heavy and thundery falls have affected much of the upper North Island, and also Fiordland and Westland, but the rain is gradually easing.