Pukehou School in Central Hawke's Bay has been forced to close as heavy rain and flooding continue to hammer the region.

In a Facebook post, the school said: "There is very heavy flooding occuring around Pukehou as well as North and South. We request that all families come and pick their children up as soon as possible so we can ensure that everyone arrives home saftely."

The school caters for primary and intermediate school students and is located only a few hundred metres from Te Aute College.