Bay of Plenty has been lashed with heavy rainfall with flooding closing a part of a state highway this morning.
State Highway 30, between Western Drain Rd and State Highway 2 Awakeri near Whakatāne, has been closed again after further rain according to Waka Kotahi NZTA.
Parts of SH2 Waimana Gorge are down to one lane due to slips and fallen trees. Detours and traffic management are in place and motorists are asked to drive carefully and allow additional time for the detour route.
MetService spokesman Lewis Ferris said Whakatāne received the highest amount of rainfall for the region in the 12 hours leading up to 9am with 95.4mm.
Rotorua saw 28.6mm recorded at Rotorua Aiport with 20.8mm in Tauranga.