Drivers are being urged to take extra care on the roads after two cars became stranded in Coromandel floodwaters this morning.

Flooding is worsening on the Coromandel Peninsula, with rain warnings in place across much of the North Island.

Take a look at some photos of the French Riviera after the flash floods hit.

Northland is expected to suffer a deluge tonight while snow and ice pose difficulty for motorists on the roads.

The Bay of Plenty is preparing for more heavy rain as more than 100 water-damaged houses still stand empty.

Rapidly rising floodwaters last night forced Bay of Plenty residents from their homes and trapped motorists.

Heavy rain has caused widespread flooding in Auckland, Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty with one family trapped in their car having to be rescued by firefighters.

A large landslip swept through a campground where up to 42 people were sleeping in flood-stricken Central Otago early today.

Further flooding is possible for the South Island's sodden Waitaki district, where 1000 people remain without drinking water.

Nine tourists have been stranded by floodwaters on State Highway 1 north of Oamaru after failing to observe warning signs earlier today.

Flood waters in Canterbury and Otago have begun to recede as heavy rain eases, but there's no respite with snow forecast for tonight.

Heavy rain and gales are expected to lash the main islands from tonight, with the MetService warning of one of the "bigger weather events" for some time.

Don't put the umbrellas away just yet. A storm bringing more heavy rain and winds is on its way to parts of the North Island.

Evacuated families have begun returning to their homes after flooding in the Nelson region during the weekend.