Police caution motorists as rain drenches North Island

The lower North Island is set for a further drenching of heavy rain as a Labour weekend which has seen road closures and some flooding in the lower North island draws to a close.

Police issued a warning this morning, saying motorists in Northland should exercise caution, and use their headlights on the road.

The MetService also renewed its rain warning for Wellington, Wairarapa and Marlborough, with heavy falls threatening surface floods and rising rivers.

Forecasters had said heavy rain throughout the lower North Island would ease overnight in most places.

However, residents in Wellington, southern Wairarapa and the eastern Marlborough Sounds were told rain would become heavier and more persistent this afternoon, and continue until midday Tuesday.

Motorists in those areas were urged to drive carefully in the hazardous conditions.

The heaviest falls were likely this evening, and on Tuesday morning, with rain falling at a rate of up to 20mm per hour, the MetService said.

Taranaki residents were also warned of heavy rain this afternoon, with up to 25mm falling per hour, before easing overnight.

The Manawatu Gorge road was re-opened at 9.30am, after two closures in less than 24 hours due to landslips.

Motorists had earlier been urged to drive with extreme care, due to flooding and loose rocks in the gorge.

Traffic on the Pahiatua track was reduced to one lane in places, and State Highway 56 at Opiki remained closed due to flooding.

Police also urged motorists to drive carefully on the Featherston side of the Rimutaka Hill, where SH2 had been partially closed by a slip.

A cold southerly change late yesterday was expected to bring overnight rain, falling temperatures and light snow falls to 400-500m in Southland, Otago and South Canterbury.

Forecasters last night also said a low over the Tasman sea was expected to sweep over the North Island today, with strong northerly winds and heavy rain affecting the Bay of Plenty.

Heavy rain could also spread to the Kaikoura Ranges and North Canterbury, the MetService said.

- NZPA