'Severe gales' and wet weather on the way for parts of North Island

There are warnings of strong winds that could reach up to 120km/h and heavy rain heading for the East Coast tomorrow and Wednesday.

MetService said a low is forecast to approach the North Island's northeast tomorrow and then move slowly further east on Wednesday.

An orange heavy rain warning has been issued for Hawke's Bay and Gisborne, particularly from SH5 to Tolaga Bay from 9am Tuesday until 9pm Wednesday.

Gisborne Tairawhiti and Hawke's Bay from Wairoa northwards, including Mahia Peninsula, are also expected to receive "severe gale southerlies gusting 120 km/h in exposed places" from 4pm Tuesday until 10am Wednesday.

The weather agency advised people in affected regions to clear drains and gutters, avoid low-lying areas, secure items outside on their property, and drive cautiously.

"The strongest winds are expected in coastal places."

Large easterly swells were expected to affect coastal parts of Gisborne and Hawke's Bay later Tuesday and Wednesday, MetService said.

"Erosion and coastal inundation are possible in some places, especially during high tides."

MetService said there was a low chance of this being upgraded to a red warning.