More heavy rain for the Bay of Plenty could be on its way

More heavy rain and potential flooding could hit parts of the Bay of Plenty again this week as Cyclone Cook crosses the Pacific Ocean.

The cyclone, which has already hit southern parts of Vanuatu causing considerable flooding, was due to hit New Caledonia later today and into Tuesday before turning towards New Zealand.

The MetService has issued a severe weather outlook for New Zealand, with more flooding rains possible in the later half of the week.

Metservice meteorologist Peter Little said from late Wednesday to Good Friday there was "moderate confidence" a heavy rain warning would be required for the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel.

But even if Cyclone Cook tracked away from the New Zealand, the low's moist air system could still bring a significant amount of rain to parts of the Bay of Plenty, he said.

Mr Little said it was too early to say how much or the exact areas the system could impact.

However, some areas already affected by heavy rain last week including Tauranga and Edgecumbe could be potentially be exposed to the risk of further flooding, he said.

"Fortunately the cyclone is not as big as Cyclone Debbie, but we are working with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to monitor the situation closely," he said.

"We are recommending people in flood-prone areas keep a close eye on developments."

Omokoroa resident Naomi Kingsland and her mother, Lesley Robinson, were staying put in their McDonnell St home for now.

Ms Kingsland said the major slip in their backyard had dropped another half a metre since Friday.

Ms Kingsland, who is due to fly to Melbourne tomorrow to visit her new grandchild, said it was "extremely troubling" if more bad weather was on the way.

"But what can you do, you can't hold back nature, and I've have been planning this trip for some time," she said.

Mother and daughter had been left with no stormwater or sewerage services, and their neighbour in a worse situation had already packed up his belongings and moved out.

"We know we will have to move out at some stage while they make repairs, and just waiting further advice from EQC and council," she said.

Across town, residents in Papamoa's Bell Rd were also bracing themselves for further heavy rain after flooding waters surrounded a number of homes in the street late last week.

Steven Kite and his partner were forced to stay at home on Thursday, after rising waters covered their driveway and cut access to the road.

"We're okay at the moment, but I'll definitely be watching the weather forecast very closely," he said.

Mr Kite said a number of nearby paddocks were still quite full, despite the floodwaters having dropped significantly in the past couple of days.