Heavy rain is causing slips and flooding around the country, affecting motorists across the regions.
Metservice has put heavy rain warnings in place for Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne regions.
Meanwhile, in the South, Tasman (about and west of Motueka), eastern Marlborough south of Blenheim, Canterbury Plains north of Ashburton, including the foothills and Christchurch, are all under a heavy rain warning.
The East Cape in the Tairāwhiti region has been hit with serious flooding, with heavy rain battering the area.
State Highway 35 near the East Cape, between Potaka and Te Araroa, is closed due to flooding.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area. It is not yet known when the flooding will subside enough for the road to be safely reopened to traffic.
Damage at Mangahoe Rd, Hunterville, after Monday's flooding. Photo / Supplied
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is advising motorists in Tairāwhiti and further south in Hawke's Bay to take extra care and to "stay alert" as severe weather creates challenging driving conditions.
The downpours caused potholes to appear on the road, which crews were doing their best to address.
"Our contractors have been out in the rain over the last couple of days, working hard to ensure that the state highways remain safe for motorists," Waka Kotahi's regional maintenance and operations manager Jaclyn Hankin said in a statement.
"Potholes and debris have appeared on roads across the region, so please keep speeds down and stay alert. We want everyone to get to their destinations and back home safely.
"It will take some time for us to repair all the potholes, especially while the severe weather continues. Making permanent repairs to potholes requires warm, dry weather so until the rain clears we can only make temporary repairs.
"We need people to drive to the conditions for the safety of everyone on the roads, including our contractors who are doing a great job in very bad weather.
"If anyone sees any issues on the state highways, please call 0800 44 44 49 so that our contractors can get to the site quickly and fix the issue."
Flooding near Te Araroa and the East Cape in the Tairāwhiti region today. Photo / Gisborne District Council
The highway between the small towns of Pōtaka and Te Araroa near the East Cape (SH35) shut due to flooding just before 4pm.
Waka Kotahi said it was not yet known when the road could be safely reopened.
Steady rain falling through the Canterbury region. #Christchurch could get 80-100mm over the course of this rain event (35mm so far) which could cause widespread surface flooding in the city. Warning details: https://t.co/qHyE5zhh6X. ^AH pic.twitter.com/ZYXFs6Q0nl
Up to 140mm of rain is forecast in the space of 21 hours, three times the average amount the region would normally get in the entire month of December.
UPDATE: There are a number of wastewater overflows and sewer issues across the city. All floodwater should be considered...
SH1 DOMETT, CANTERBURY - FLOODING - 4:50PM Due to flooding, the road is down to one lane near Darrochs Rd. Please remember to switch on your lights, increase your following distance, and be prepared for unexpected hazards. ^AP pic.twitter.com/j48iUDJGZV
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Canterbury & West Coast (@WakaKotahiCWC) December 15, 2021
The police were urging motorists to avoid or delay travel between Blenheim and Kaikōura due to several slips, including one at Oaro where traffic was down to one lane.
They said there was a risk of injury from falling rocks.
Metservice meteorologist Peter Little said Christchurch was expected to bear the brunt of any flooding.
He said the worst was yet to come, with most of the rain forecast to fall on Wednesday evening.
Wellington trains suspended
Train services on the Johnsonville line in Wellington have been suspended due to a slip between Awarua St and Simla Cres.
A detour route via State Highway 2 is in place but will add considerable time to journeys and motorists are asked to delay their travel, where possible.
Manawatū-Whanganui
Motorists driving on Halcombe Rd, Feilding, were caught in floodwaters earlier this evening. However, police said the people inside the car were able to free themselves.
Police said they have received reports of flooding around the Manawatū region.
The Fire and Emergency spokesperson said they recieved 85 calls since 5pm most in Fielding and a couple in Whanganui, they were mainly for residential house flooding.
Several roads in Whanganui have been closed due to floodwaters. Photo / Whanganui District Council
A council spokesperson said people should avoid travelling unless they have to evacuate.
Halcombe residents are being told to not flush toilets, as the wastewater treatment ponds were inundated.
