A severe weather watch has been issued for the Bay of Plenty today warning of the possibility of heavy and thundery rainfalls.
Metservice said a low over the Bay of Plenty and Waikato was forecast to weaken and move southwards, bringing rain to parts of the North Island.
The Bay of Plenty, along with Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and Waikato, will see some heavy and possibly thundery falls.
The Bay could be hit with localised heavy rain, especially with any thunderstorms that formed this afternoon. Rain should ease this evening.
People were advised to stay up to date with the latest forecasts.