Heavy rain, strong winds for much of North Island

8:13am

Northland and Whanganui are the places to be in the North Island today for the best weather.

For the rest of the island, MetService is forecasting heavy rain and/or strong winds.

A heavy rain warning is currently in place for Gisborne/Tairāwhiti and Coromandel, and for Hawke's Bay from 10am.

Up to 130 millimetres of rain could fall in Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and the Coromandel Peninsula throughout today, with orange warnings in place.

Metservice meteorologist Katie Lyons said campers in the Coromandel will already be waking to soggy conditions.

"Unfortunately, things in the Coromandel have deteriorated overnight with that rain setting in. Places in the hills of Coromandel are seeing about 30mm of rain already."

Auckland, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel are currently under a strong wind watch, as will be the central North Island from 10am.

A warning of severe gales has been issued for Manawatu, Horowhenua and Kapiti coast from 4pm, while the Tararua district and Wairarapa will be under a heavy rain watch from 6pm.

From 10pm the Marlborough Sounds, Nelson, Buller, Grey District and Westland will be under a strong wind watch.

Festivalgoers for New Year's events such as Rhythm and Vines have been warned to watch out for wild weather on the roads.

rnz.co.nz

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