A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Hastings and Napier City.
On Friday MetService issued the warning as its weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near Rissington, Sherenden, Napier, Hastings, Fernhill, Bridge Pa and Maraekakaho.
MetService said the severe thunderstorms were moving east and expected to lie near Napier, Haumoana, Hastings, offshore Hawke's Bay, Cape Kidnappers, Havelock North and Pakipaki at 2:45pm on Friday.
Severe thunderstorm warnings have also been issued for South Waikato, Whakatāne, Rotorua and Wairoa.
MetService said its weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near Waikite Valley, Guthrie, Waiotapu, Reporoa, Rerewhakaaitu, Murupara, Te Whaiti and the Ikawhenua Range.
"These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the east-southeast and are expected to lie near Reporoa, Waiotapu, Rerewhakaaitu, Murupara, Galatea, Te Whaiti and the ikawhenua Range at 3:52pm," MetService said.
"And near Murupara, Galatea, Kopuriki, the ikawhenua range and Ruatahuna at 4:22pm."
MetService said the thunderstorms will likely be accompanied by torrential rain.
MetService said the very heavy rain "can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous".
"[The] very strong wind gusts can break branches from trees, damage roofing, and make driving hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles."
MetService said there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms for Friday afternoon in Northland, Auckland, parts of Waikato, western Waitomo, Taranaki, and Taihape.
Thunderstorms could also potentially hit from inland Waikato, Bay of Plenty and inland Gisborne, down to Hawke's Bay and northern Tararua District.
"A low-risk covers [the] remaining North Island areas. These thunderstorms will produce localised heavy rain of 10-25mm/h and hail 5-15mm [in] diameter," MetService said.
Wellington and southern Wairarapa also are likely to produce showers on Friday evening with a moderate risk of thunderstorms.
"Any thunderstorms that develop will produce localised heavy rain with intensities of 15-25mm/h and small hail," MetService said.
The South Island also has isolated showers with a moderate risk of the showers developing into thunderstorms around Marlborough and inland parts of north and mid-Canterbury.
