Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says he's extending the region's flooding state of emergency for another week and has issued a fresh apology over his handling of the crisis.
Meanwhile, Coromandel Mayor Len Salt has declared a pre-emptive declaration of emergency due to an "unfolding situation".
Auckland's local state of emergency was put in place last Friday night but Brown came under fire for being too slow to act.
Brown's office said in a statement the declaration, which was set to expire on Friday, would be extended for another seven days - although may be terminated early.
"The Mayor thanked Aucklanders for how they have responded to the unprecedented weather event, saying the community response had been 'magnificent,'" the statement said.
In the statement, Brown also expressed regret about how last week's flooding emergency was handled.
"I dropped the ball on Friday," he said. "The communications weren't fast enough, including mine. I am sorry.
"The priority now, ahead of the Waitangi long weekend, is to ensure that Aucklanders are safe, well-informed and well-supported."
Extending the state of emergency gives Auckland's Civil Defence group the powers to coordinate other emergency services, make sure temporary accommodation, food and water are available, ensure access to dangerous areas is properly controlled and provide regular public information meetings.
Meanwhile, a State of Emergency has been declared in the Coromandel.
Mayor Len Salt declared a pre-emptive declaration of emergency at 1:35pm on Friday.
"The reason I have done this is because we have an unfolding situation with vulnerable communities, vulnerable people and an emerging situation where we have the potential for land slips and further erosion that we need to manage," Salt said.
"The main area affected is the west coast, the Thames Coast, from Ruamahunga northward. By declaring a state of emergency we are empowering our agencies and our emergency support services and our staff to be able to manage this situation in a way that protects property and keeps people safe and out of harm's way.
The situation is "weather dependent and will depend to some degree on the extent to which the damage that has already been done by water and rainfall continues to make the hills and catchment areas vulnerable to further slips," he added.
"There is some rain expected over the weekend but we're hoping for some fine weather to settle the situation down to some degree."
The east coast is less affected and can be accessed from the south, but the situation can change at short notice.
"Most people visiting and most of the residents of Thames-Coromandel District will not be aware there is a state of emergency in place. If you are out and about visiting, please keep up to date with road conditions and take care out there everyone," the mayor said.
Meanwhile, Fire and Emergency New Zealand also attended a minor slip in Albany.
Throughout Auckland, 209 homes have been red-stickered - deemed uninhabitable - so far.
And, speaking to reporters on Friday morning, Auckland Emergency Management controller Rachel Kelleher said heavy rain had reactivated natural springs around Onehunga - causing more flooding in the suburb as well as around Eden Park.
Kelleher said there were no other major incidents overnight.
Thirty-two roads remain closed around Auckland, with more than 400 maintenance crews out working to reopen them.
State Highway 1 between Brynderwyn and Waipu is also shut due to slips in the Dome Valley.
"We continue to urge Aucklanders to take care when travelling on the network, following [last] Friday floods," Auckland Transport said in a statement.
"Rail services today are running to reduced timetables. Bus services are operating on all routes with extended journey times due to detours because of road closures.
"As we assess and mitigate the damage on cycle lanes we do ask cyclists to travel with extra care when using cycle lanes."
For parts of the South Island, meanwhile, it's set to be a sticky, sweaty, sweltering start to the long weekend.
Christchurch is expecting temperatures to reach 31C on Friday and Saturday, with Otago and Southland also set to hit the high 20s.
Emergency services are urging people to take care in the heat, stay hydrated and beware of the added fire risk.
The sun won't be out everywhere, however. Parts of the West Coast are under an orange heavy rain warning - which is in place until at least 9pm on Friday.
MetService's short forecast for Friday
Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Horowhenua Kapiti Coast and Wellington
Scattered rain, clearing to fine in Gisborne and Hawke's Bay on Friday morning and the Kapiti Coast and Wellington in the afternoon.
Remainder of the North Island
Scattered showers, some heavy and possibly thundery on Friday afternoon, easing in the evening.
Nelson and Buller
Occasional showers, clearing in Nelson on Friday evening. Thunderstorms possible inland in the afternoon.
Westland and Fiordland
Rain with heavy falls and possible thunderstorms in Westland, easing to showers in Fiordland on Friday morning and Westland in the evening.
Marlborough, Canterbury
Areas of cloud and a few showers, clearing later on Friday morning or afternoon and fine breaks increasing.
Otago and Southland
Scattered showers, clearing for a time on Friday morning. Possible thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening.
Chatham Islands
Partly cloudy.
