Heavy rain causing flooding and slips has closed several roads in the eastern North Island, including State Highway 5 between Napier and Taupo.
Rain has hammered Gisborne overnight prompting the evacuation of six people from Mangatuna village, a small settlement north of Tolaga Bay, Gisborne, as swelling rivers threaten to flood.
The residents were moved out this morning as the Uawa River rose from it usual 4m to 11m.
Slips and flooding on SH5 were widespread and there was no time frame for the road, closed about 2pm, to reopen, Sergeant Mark Oliver of central police communications said.
Flooding had also closed SH2 between Dymock Rd and Whatatutu Rd near Te Karaka, 32km northwest of Gisborne, he said.
The water in the area was still rising and it was not known when the road could reopen.
Police advised motorists travelling between Napier and Wairoa to take extreme care due to further slips and flooding along that stretch of the highway.
More bursts of heavy rain were expected today in Gisborne, Tauranga and Hawke's Bay as a strong easterly flow of rain spread across the central and southern North Island, Inspector Lou Alofa of northern police communications said.
Puddles up to 30cm deep had been reported at several intersections and throughout highways and all motorists travelling in these areas should exercise the utmost of caution, he said.
Heavy rain in the Coromandel had also seen deep puddles form along the Kopu Hikuai Rd, which crosses the peninsula south of Thames.
Police strongly advised against camping and tramping given the rising water levels, Mr Alofa said.
Gisborne Civil Defence controller Jon Davies said a "phenomenal" 250mm of rain had fallen in the region since last night.
Authorities were on alert.
The MetService said more heavy rain was expected in the Gisborne region today, spreading to Hawke's Bay where 120-180mm was forecast near the hills and ranges until noon tomorrow. A further 40-70mm was likely after that.
As winds turned more northeast, rain was predicted to become widespread in Bay of Plenty and Coromandel until tomorrow night or Tuesday morning.
NZPA