A subtropical storm is raining on people's summer plans

MetService has issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for Northland until early tomorrow morning.

Civil Defence is urging people to prepare for flooding and potentially hazardous driving conditions.

Campgrounds in the Far North report visitors have fled in droves - with only a few campervans left.

The Summer Haze music festival - which was set to begin today in Matakana - has been cancelled.

Director Alex Turnbull says it was a straight-forward decision given all the warnings.

He says it's a matter of due diligence based on the safety of the infrastructure and patrons.

Heavy rain and wind watches are in place across much of the upper North island.