Weather for ducks - and PlayStation

Photo / Hawke's Bay Today

School holidays will be spent indoors for the next few days, as heavy rains, high winds and gusts hit the North Island.

Heavy rain warnings have been issued for Hawkes Bay and Gisborne, with 200mm to 300mm of rainfall expected in the ranges. Up to 150mm is forecast to fall north of Napier.

MetService forecaster Oliver Druce said a heavy rain warning was also set to be issued for the eastern Wairarapa.

However, there would not be as much rainfall there as further north.

"Gisborne and Hawkes Bay are definitely the worst as far as rain goes. Not a good time for the school holidays - certainly not a time to be outdoors," Mr Druce said.

In Auckland, heavy winds eased yesterday, but the MetService forecaster said fairly strong southerly winds were expected today, as well as showers.

Those conditions would continue tomorrow before easing on Thursday.

High winds are expected in the eastern Bay of Plenty and in Taupo, with gusts of up to 120km/h in some parts.