More heavy rain to hit North Island

Heavy rains have eased but roads remain closed around the Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty due to slips and flooding.

The MetService has lifted a heavy weather warning for the Coromandel, however a warning remains in place for the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne.

In the 21 hours up until 6pm tonight, 90-130mm is expected in the Gisborne region, with the heaviest falls north of Tokomaru Bay, and inland and south of Gisborne city.

The MetService advised people in these areas to watch out for surface flooding, slips and rapidly rising streams and rivers.

Roads around the Coromandel Peninsula and the Bay of Plenty remain closed following heavy rain yesterday.

Slips closed State Highway 25 at Te Puru, north of Thames, and Te Rerenga, between Coromandel town and Whitianga.

State Highway 26 is closed at the Criterion Bridge in Paeroa and between Te Aroha and Paeroa, due to flooding.

The Karangahake Gorge, which connects Paeroa and Waihi, is also still closed due to flooding, while SH2 is down to one lane in the Athenree Gorge.

NZTA Bay of Plenty state highway manager, Brett Gliddon, said State Highway 2 is down to one-lane between Bruce Road and the Domain Road intersection at Papamoa due to flooding.

"Contractors worked through the night to try and repair pot holes that had formed because of the flooding, but the northbound lane is still closed and a short detour is in place," Mr Gliddon said.

"The highway is likely to remain only one lane for most of today. Until the flooding subsides, further repairs cannot be undertaken. Once the water recedes we will work as quickly as possible to restore the highway to two lanes. We ask motorists to reduce their speed and take extreme care when travelling in this area."

Kauaeranga Valley Road, Wentworth Valley Road in Parakiwai, and Old Maratoto and Wires road in Hikutaia, are also closed due to flooding.