Heavy rain is starting to fall in the lower half of the North Island as regions brace for a drenching that could spell more trouble for slip-prone areas.
MetService is warning heavy rain is due to set in across the bottom of the island today with mountain snowmelt expected to add to possible flooding woes.
More wet weather is approaching the north of the country and likely to saturate northern and eastern regions for the next two days.
Wellington Civil Defence is warning of widespread flooding today as the sodden ground struggles to cope with the coming deluge.
Forecasters say up to 100mm of rain is expected to fall in 16 hours and some intense downpours could hit the region from mid-morning to mid-afternoon.