Thunderstorms and downpours are set to drench the North Island from this morning as a tropical low moves in.
Watches and warnings have been issued for much of the North Island, with heavy rain expected earlier than first forecast.
Auckland is now under a heavy rain watch from 9am, brought forward from the original 12pm. The city is currently sitting at a muggy 22C, with a high of 26C forecast today.
Areas that were hit by heavy downpours a few weeks ago - like Great Barrier Island and the Mahurangi Coast - can expect more heavy rain today, Auckland Emergency Management acting general manager Sarah Le Claire said in a Facebook post.
People should prepare by clearing gutters and drains, Le Claire said. “If you’re in an area prone to flooding or isolation, make sure you’ve got a plan to shelter in place or leave quickly if you need to.”
She also warned people not to drive or walk through floodwaters.
MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris told the Herald there was a risk of widespread heavy rain across the North Island today.
He pointed to the warm, humid air from the tropics as the cause of the rain.
A wet Friday across the North Island.
— MetService NZ (@MetService) February 11, 2026
Severe Weather Watches and Warnings issued for much of the North Island during Friday and into Saturday as thunderstorms and heavy rain move west to east across the country. pic.twitter.com/QpMAjsS6Hc
“Today it links up with a bit more oomph in terms of getting that humid air actually to rise up into the atmosphere and create rain.
“It does bring with it the potential for some very heavy falls, thunderstorms and downpours.”
Tauranga City Council says Adams Ave, between Pilot Bay and the Maunganui Rd roundabout, near the site of last month’s deadly Mount Maunganui landslide, will be temporarily closed to vehicles from 8am today as a heavy rain watch is in place.
The footpath on the ‘shop side’ of Adams Ave will remain open, the council says, adding that the “precautionary approach” follows geotechnical advice about the current risks on Mauao from anticipated rainfall from Friday to Saturday.
“Whilst no definite timeframe can be given for the duration of the closure, it is temporary,” the council said.
“The road will not be opened until the rain event has passed and we have expert advice regarding the safety of the area.”
MetService has issued a series of weather watches and warnings across most of the North Island from this morning until late tonight and early tomorrow.
A heavy rain warning comes into effect for Bay of Plenty east of Ōpōtiki and Gisborne north of Ūawa/Tolaga Bay from 6pm until 10am tomorrow, although heavy rain could continue after that time.
“Expect 80 to 100mm of rain to accumulate, with the chance of 130 to 150mm in one or two places.”
Thundery downpours are set to hit the North Island on Friday as a tropical low moves in, while a strong southwest front brings a chilly southerly in the South Island. Keep an eye on MetService for official updates. Full breakdown here: https://t.co/CKRyuL343d pic.twitter.com/bQ43hwC3u0
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) February 12, 2026
A heavy rain watch has been issued for Northland, Auckland, Aotea Great Barrier Island, the Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato and Waitomo from 9am to 10pm today.
A heavy rain watch begins for the Bay of Plenty, west of Ōpōtiki, at noon. The eastern hill-country of Taranaki, Taupō, Taumarunui, Taihape and Whanganui, as well as Manawatū, the Tararua District and Hawke’s Bay are under a slew of heavy rain watches from this afternoon until Saturday morning.
A heavy rain watch is also set to begin from 9pm until noon tomorrow for Gisborne, south of Tolaga Bay.
“That’s what people are going to need to be aware of,” Ferris said.
“It’s the type of situation where not everywhere is going to get the same amount of rain.
“We could be talking about wildly different numbers town to town, and hopefully we don’t see the same amounts fall on the communities who have dealt with flooding over the last wee while.”
Te Aroha Civil Defence has warned East Coast residents a section of State Highway 35 will close over the weekend.
“Because State Highway 35 remains fragile and to manage safety of our contractors and road users we will be forced to fully close the road from 6pm Friday to 6am Monday 16 February.”
Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.