Heavy rain will continue to drench many areas of the North Island today, with one state highway flooded.
Heavy downpours kicked off yesterday afternoon as two weather systems converged to drag an atmospheric river down to New Zealand.
Streams and rivers were expected to rise rapidly, surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions were also possible, MetService warned.
This morning, an on-ramp was blocked on Auckland’s Southern Motorway after a car flipped during the morning rush.
NZTA advised north-bound motorists to use the Greenlane on-ramp instead.
Flooding has been reported on SH25 from Whitianga to Tairua in the Coromandel Peninsula.
“Consider delaying travel or be prepared to detour,” said NZTA.
SH25 KAIMARAMA, BAY OF PLENTY - FLOODING- 6:30AM, WED 19 NOV
— NZ Transport Agency - Waikato & Bay of Plenty (@nztawbop) November 18, 2025
Flooding has been reported on SH25 between Wade Rd and The 309 Rd. Consider delaying travel or be prepared to detour. ^KF pic.twitter.com/ZZGlXeDPct
MetService meteorologist John Law said after an early morning drenching for Auckland, the last places to see rain clear would be the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel.
“As we head through Wednesday, we’ll find the weather starts to move away.
“For Northland, Auckland, the rain should start to clear off as we head in towards the afternoon. Perhaps even a bit of brightness or some sunshine back,” Law said.
He said tomorrow and into Friday would be looking much better as the rain began to clear for most regions.
Law said MetService was keeping a close eye on weather in the Bay of Plenty and the northern part of Gisborne/Tairāwhiti throughout today.
He said the northern parts of the country were expected to see downpours overnight that will continue for some this morning and into the afternoon.
“It’s not just the case that it’s wet, but there’s also that risk of some intense bursts of rainfall, some downpours.”
Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly Niwa) forecaster Chester Lampkin earlier told the Herald an area of low pressure in the Tasman Sea and a cold front coming in from the southwest would bring a big plume of moisture from the Tasman.
“We call it an atmospheric river because of the amount of moisture coming with it,” he said.
🔶🟡🚨
— MetService NZ (@MetService) November 18, 2025
Server Weather Watches and Warnings have been updated!
To view the details please go to the MetService Watches and Warning page here https://t.co/HZ2TSD5rV7 pic.twitter.com/59VLl9K85D
There are several warnings and watches around the country today.
The Coromandel Peninsula is under an orange heavy rain warning until 3pm this afternoon.
The Bay of Plenty is under the same warning until 11pm, and Gisborne/Tairāwhiti north of Ruatoria until midnight.
Tongariro National Park is also under an orange heavy rain warning until 10pm.
Taumarunui and Taihape north of Ohakune, excluding Tongariro National Park, are under a heavy rain watch until 11am.
Taranaki is under the same watch until 8pm.
Northland, Auckland and Great Barrier Island are under a heavy rain warning until 2pm and Waitomo, Waikato and Taupō are under the same warning until 6pm.
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