KEY POINTS:
The heavy, humid weather blanketing most of New Zealand is here to stay.
The humidity level in Auckland on Monday night peaked at 100 per cent and it is expected to remain in the 80s and 90s.
Philip Duncan from WeatherWatch Centre said there was little relief for those struggling to sleep in the conditions.
"We may see a break this weekend when the high in the Tasman Sea spreads over the country bringing drier southerlies, otherwise it's going to be hot and humid until Friday then starting all over again next week."
Heavy downpours, which began yesterday morning, caused flooding around the Manawatu-Wanganui region with streams rising, drains overflowing and water seeping into basements and houses.
Federated Farmers president Don Nicolson said the wet weather was needed for farmers at this time of year but the rain patterns needed to be steady to keep away a drought.
Napier farmer Bruce Wills said the area received about 30mm of rain on Christmas Eve but since then there had been only a few millimeters "here and there".
MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said the rain was expected to disappear today but was likely to return to the central and northern North Island tomorrow.
