Heavy rain in the region has prompted warnings to stay safe on the roads today.
A MetService forecaster said a front over the Tasman Sea was forecast to move across New Zealand tomorrow, preceded by a strong and moist north to northeasterly flow.
This would then be followed by unsettled north-westerlies.
The front was expected to bring a period of heavy rain to western and northern parts of New Zealand, and some places would possibly experience severe gales for a time.
Heavy rain watches are in place for the Bay of Plenty region west of Ōpōtiki from 7am to 4pm, the Coromandel Peninsula from 5am to 1pm and the western ranges of Taupō from 7am to 2pm.