For the rest of the country, heavy rain warnings remain for Bay of Plenty to northern Tairawhiti, Taranaki and the north-western corner of the South Island

A stretch of State Highway 35 between Hicks Bay and Potaka in Gisborne was also closed overnight due to ponding and silt.

South Taranaki Mayor Phil Nixon says people living closer to the mountain will likely get the brunt of the weather.

He says people should avoid heading out if things do start to get bad, but once the weather settles check on your neighbours.