NIWA has warned rivers will respond rapidly to the heavy rain as a front moves across the country, bringing strong winds and downpours to the North Island.
Tonight, Northland, Auckland, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty are preparing for the worst.
A coffee shop has been crushed by a tree that came down on a Te Arai roastery business today - luckily no one was hurt.
But its mangled interior is a reflection of the wild weather that's struck Northland.
The rain's been relentless and officials have been monitoring State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyn Hills which is set to re-open on Monday.
Geoff Crawford has 500 hectares of farmland in Hikurangi - his paddocks are already flooding.
"We've had 110mm of rain in 12 hours which is quite significant. Looks like this might pass through but we've got another strong weather system coming on Thursday which would give me more concern," he said.
Down-country in Auckland, NIWA's warning of an atmospheric river has spooked Derek Judge whose once dream home in west Auckland was ruined in the January floods.
It was yellow-stickered after floodwaters from the nearby stream rushed into his house and left it "completely submerged".
Judge can't live here anymore, but he returned today to make sure everything was tied down.
"My concern is for those still living in their houses," he said.
He's traumatised by what happened.
"I'd like to be tough and I have been for a long time. It's been traumatic, I can't say that it hasn't affected me," he said.
"There are parts of the region that are certainly more vulnerable as a result of the anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle so we are being as proactive as possible to make sure Aucklanders are prepared for the coming weather," Auckland Emergency Management duty controller Rachel Kelleher said.
It seems Aucklanders aren't taking any risks. Sandbags line the exterior of a furniture business near the CBD.
Judge just wants others to be prepared for the worst.
"I would pass this out to anyone your important documents, your photos, your hard drives, everything higher than what could possibly be hit and then you can take those with you, after the fact," he said.
Because a quiet nearby stream can so quickly turn into a raging torrent.
