A heavy rain watch is in place for parts of Hawke's Bay north of Napier.
MetService issued the watch the rain watch for between 6am on Wednesday through to 3pm on Thursday for areas north of the Napier-Taupō Rd.
The watch includes a forecast for periods of heavy rain and accumulations which may approach warning criteria.
MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said a low-pressure system forming off the North Island near the Bay of Plenty was drifting across the country.
This was driving strong south-easterly winds and "persistent rain" throughout parts of northern Hawke's Bay.