A severe weather warning has been issued for the Bay of Plenty and Taupo, with heavy rain expected tonight and early tomorrow morning.
According to MetService: "An active front is moving eastwards across the northern parts the North Island tonight and early Wednesday morning, bringing further rain to the northeastof the island."
It said heavy rain was expected to continue in the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty through to early Wednesday morning.
In the eight hours from 8pm this evening, a further 60 to 80mm of rain is expected on top of what has already fallen.
People in the area are advised rivers and streams may rise rapidly, slips and surface flooding are possible.
