Heavy rain batters the capital causing surface flooding and landslips

Road crews are bracing for a busy day following a night of downpours in the capital.

Heavy rain overnight and this morning has lead to surface flooding in the city and land slips east of Houghton Bay near Lyall Bay.

MetService has put a heavy rain warning in place, but said the biggest falls are already passing through.

Council spokesman Richard McLean said road users should watch for hazards, including dislodged manhole covers.

He said contractors were already working to remove the debris from the slips off the road.

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Motorists are being asked to avoid the area and take alternative routes while boulders and rubble are removed.

MetService severe weather forecaster Mads Naeraa-Spiers said there would be further rain this morning and into the afternoon before moving further northward.

"It's been raining pretty much since Monday, so the ground is soggy and there will be slips."

He said rain would continue into the evening for higher parts like the Tararuas.

Rubble strewn on the coastal road between Lyall Bay and Island Bay. Photo / Katie Harris

There is some surface flooding in the central city, as well as another slip on Horokiwi Rd between Ngauranga and Petone.

The Wellington City Council's asking motorists to take extra care this morning following a night of downpours. Photo / Katie Harris

Meanwhile, a heavy rain watch has been issued for the Bay of Plenty and Taupō.

A low which developed in the northwest of Taranaki last night has deepened and will hover around the central parts of the country both today and tomorrow bringing periods of heavy rain.

Surface flooding on Wellington's Miramar Peninsula. Photo / Katie Harris

These downpours are expected in Rotorua and Bay of Plenty with a watch in place from 9pm Thursday through to midnight Saturday.

Taupō can expect the same weather from 8pm Thursday to 9am Friday.