The Bay is set for a week of relentless rain and chilling cold.
Metservice meteorologist Nicholas Zacher said there was "plenty more rain to come" as a front moves slowly down the country.
The region was expected to get the heaviest downpour overnight and this morning.
There will be a slight reprieve this afternoon but with a low-pressure wave developing along the front, the rest of the week will be a wet one.
Winds will increase this evening and strengthen to north westerly gales later today.