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Heavy rain overnight has brought flooding and slips to much of the top half of the North Island, particularly in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
Several roads are closed or down to one lane, and police are advising motorists to delay travel if possible or to take extreme care if they do drive.
Inspector Shawn Rutene of the police northern communications centre said flooding and slips were causing great difficulty on roads near Whitianga, Huntly, Ngaruawahia, Waihi, Matamata, and further south near Taupo.
Police had earlier reported slips blocking Belk Road North at Omanawa, 10km southwest of Tauranga, and at Muriwai Terrace in Whakatane.
Mr Rutene said drivers should consider delaying trips on State Highway 25 just south of Whitianga between Wade Rd and the 309 Rd, where surface flooding covered nearly half the road.
"We are requesting that the public only travel if they need to, and if they do, they should take extreme caution," he said.
Further south on State Highway 25, there were reports of rocks "as big as a dinner plate" on the road near Waihi, Mr Rutene said.
Roads in Huntly was blocked, and flooding caused one vehicle to veer left on a bridge at Taihoa, near Matamata.
Slips were also causing havoc in the Tahorakuri Forest area near Taupo.
"The main thing is to drive to the conditions if they do need to drive, and if possible they should think about stopping, having a cup of tea and waiting it out."
A heavy rain warning had been issued for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay tonight and tomorrow.
Further rain was forecast for Gisborne and Hawke's Bay through tomorrow and Thursday, MetService said.
Southeast winds had been predicted to strengthen over much of the North Island this morning. Gales are expected in many places, with severe gale gusts of 120km/h or 130km/h likely in places from eastern Bay of Plenty over the central high country to Taranaki, Wanganui and Manawatu and Kapiti Coast.
- NZPA
