High river levels are forcing residents in Gisborne's Waikohu to self-evacuate.
"The Kanakanaia river level is now sitting at 6.5," Waikohu Civil Defence said on Tuesday night. "We are encouraging people to self-evacuate to town if you can do so safely.
"Please remember to ensure your pets are also safe as well."
Tairāwhiti Civil Defence earlier issued flood warnings for the Waipaoa River, which was expected to peak at 6m at 10pm on Tuesday. The river at Kanakania had climbed to 6.59m as of 9pm on Tuesday - just below its 48-hour peak of 6.65m.
A heavy rain watch was in place for the region until at least 11pm on Tuesday.
However, the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi reopened State Highway 2 at Otoko Hill on Tuesday night after closing it at 4pm due to flooding.
"Surface flooding has receded sooner than expected and the stretch of highway between Makaretu Rd and Whatatutu Rd is now open to all traffic," Waka Kotahi said.
"Our contractor has been on site removing debris and silt from the highway.
"Waka Kotahi thanks all road users for their patience while this stretch of road was closed and reminds everyone to take care while driving through the area, and drive to the conditions."
In New Plymouth, wild weather has forced multiple flight cancellations out of the city on Wednesday morning.
MetService is warning of strong westerly winds in the city on Wednesday after it was blasted by strong southeasterly gusts on Tuesday, forcing nearly 20 flight cancellations.
Air New Zealand's flight schedule out of New Plymouth for Wednesday showed services to Christchurch (6:30am) and Wellington (7am) had already been cancelled on Tuesday night.
As of Tuesday night, flights to Auckland were not affected.
Further south in Wellington, where a strong wind warning was expected to be in place until at least 6am on Wednesday, only a 6:35am Air New Zealand service to Christchurch was cancelled as of Tuesday night.
Ferries were also cancelled on Tuesday, with the first Cook Strait Interislander service not expected out of Wellington until Wednesday afternoon.
"Aratere sailings from 3:45pm Tuesday, September 26 have been cancelled, expected to return to service for the 3:45pm sailing Wednesday, September 27," Interislander said.
"Kaitaki sailings from 8:45am Tuesday, September 26 have been cancelled, expected to return to service for the 8:30pm sailing Wednesday, September 27.
"Kaiarahi is expected to return to service on Thursday, September 28, however due to the ongoing weather impacts she will run freight-only and her departure time may vary from what is scheduled. We will provide updates as regularly as possible."
Bluebridge had also cancelled its 2am and 8:15am sailings from Wellington to Picton, and its 2:30am and 7:45am services between Picton and the capital.
"We're sorry that we’ve had to cancel these sailings," the company said. "We appreciate that a lot of people are travelling with us during these school holidays and this weather-related disruption has impacted many of our customers' travel plans."
