Weather warnings remain in place for popular holiday spots Northland and the Coromandel Peninsula with motorists returning home from these regions urged to drive safely.
NIWA warns those travelling anywhere across the upper North Island this Queens Birthday should expect heavy persistent rain, slips and even flooding.
Northland is bearing the brunt of the wild weather with reports of trees falling over and power lines being damaged.
A heavy rain warning for Northland, issued at 9am on Monday is set to last until 6pm Monday with a further 50 to 80mm of rain expected to fall especially in the north and about the eastern hills.
MetService says this deluge may cause rivers and streams to rise "rapidly" and is warning motorists to beware of hazardous conditions.
"Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous."
There's also a strong wind warning in place for Northland from 9am Monday to 11am Tuesday. Northeasterly gales will ease during the day, however, east to southeasterly gusts will likely become severe from 11pm Monday, reaching 120km in exposed places.
These forceful gusts have the potential to damage trees, powerline and unsecured structures. MetService warns winds may make driving "hazardous" especially for those in high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Sixty to 80mm of rain is expected to spill over the hills of the Coromandel Peninsula on Monday with a heavy rain warning in place from 9am Monday to 11am Tuesday. There's a risk of surface flooding and rapid rising of rivers and streams, MetService warns driving in the region "may be hazardous".
NIWA says the risk for slips and flooding in the Coromandel is "growing." Their modelling indicates rainfall totals of 200 to 300mm over the next 48 hours.
A strong wind watch for the Coromandel is also in place from 9am Monday to 9pm Monday. MetService says gusts "may approach severe gale in exposed places at times".
Auckland has a heavy rain watch and strong wind watch in place for Monday and Tuesday, travellers heading home to the region should exercise caution.
Fire and Emergency say their general message for motorists this public holiday is to "drive to the conditions and respect all signs relating to temporary speed restrictions, road closures and detours".
They say this warning "also relates to those travelling in Canterbury today, following last week’s floods".
MetService says Canterbury is experiencing rain but nothing as damaging as last weekend.
"For a little perspective, Methven has recorded 11.3mm of rain so far today compared to well over 200mm last weekend," Metservice adds.
However, MetService meteorologist Angus Hines says a "little bit of rain" could have a "big impact" on already waterlogged areas.
"So even if you're only getting 10mm or so, which is kind of about the amount we're looking at for that part of the country, [it] could have a pretty big knock-on impact for waterways and waterlogged areas."
Waka Kotahi NZTA has provided its usual holiday traffic warnings.
They say motorists should expect traffic between the following areas on Monday:
- Wellsford and Puhoi, 10am to 6pm
- Bombay and Manukau, 11am to 7pm
- Tauranga and Katikati, 10am to 4:30pm
- Southbound Tairua, 9am to 6pm
