KEY POINTS:
Heavy rain moved south down the East Coast of the North Island overnight prompting warnings to take extreme care near rivers.
Authorities said that although it had not reached the point where people should stay indoors, the rain had been very heavy and persistent.
Gisborne was reported to be "very very wet" but there were no reports of flooding.
In Hastings, police said it had been raining very heavily for the last 10 hours and there had been minor surface water but they were not expecting severe and disruptive flooding.
Power was still on to all areas.
MetService said that by the end of Wednesday, another 150mm of rain could fall in the ranges and coastal hills of Hawkes Bay, with a further 70mm possible on the lowlands.
- NZPA, NZ HERALD STAFF
