- Precautionary evacuations are being carried out in Ngongotahฤ, Rotorua.
- SH35 is closed between Matu Rd, Tokomaru and Te Puia Springs village due to flooding.
- Hawke's Bay could receive 200mm of rain. There is a warning of heavy rain until 6 a.m. Thursday.
- Auckland was hit overnight by torrential rain that flooded dozens of homes.
Pre-emptive evacuations are being carried out in the Bay of Plenty as heavy downpours hit the region.
Bay of Plenty Civil Defense says residents of Western Rd are being asked to leave their homes due to the risk of the Ngongotahฤ Creek rising.
"This is not a declared state of emergency, but we are closely monitoring the situation to do whatever is necessary to keep people safe," the agency said.
It advises residents to only carry the essentials and wear warm clothing as they retreat "away from the river to a dry, safe place."
There is widespread flooding across the country, with streets underwater in Christchurch and waterfalls cascading over the stands at Rotorua racecourse.
An east Auckland resident said roads were โtransformed into a raging torrentโ, cars were submerged and homes were damaged in last night's downpours.
Firefighters tackled at least 70 weather-related jobs overnight in the north of the country after a series of severe weather warnings were issued for the north island.
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According to MetService, torrential rain lashed parts of Auckland and Coromandel overnight, bringing "damaging" amounts of rain to some locations.
Forecaster Niwa reported that northern parts of Auckland experienced "near record" rainfall.
MetService issues a series of new warnings and alerts
MetService has issued new warnings for Hawke's Bay, urging residents to prepare for flooding and landslides.
The forecaster said areas south of SH5 will see the highest amounts of rain, with between 150 and 200mm of rain expected on top of what has already fallen.
Areas north of SH5 are expected to see an additional 20-40mm.
The Tararua District and Wairarapa are expected to receive between 130 and 160mm of rain, with maximum rates of 15 to 20mm/h.
Gisborne and the Kaikลura ranges are currently under a heavy rain watch, and Gisborne could experience thunderstorms this afternoon.
A high wind warning will come into force for North Taranaki and Wellington at 8pm tonight.
Meanwhile, further south, heavy rain in Christchurch this morning has also flooded streets, slowing traffic.
Surface flooding on Marine Parade in the coastal suburb of New Brighton has left residents anxious.
"A jet ski could easily travel through the countryside", Rotorua circuit flooded
Rotorua racecourse was also flooded after a torrent of water poured down its terraced grandstand.
Rob Prior, who is staying in a nearby mobile home, said the flooding peaked at 8:45 a.m.
He said water was running down the terrace seats and the rink was full.
The rain had already subsided and the waterfall was diminishing.
Police had blocked off about 100 meters of the road in front of the stadium and there were between 10 and 15 people at the scene, Prior said.
He described the scene as โcrazyโ and said a jet ski could easily navigate the countryside.
A 'raging torrent', floods turn streets into rivers in east Auckland
St Heliers resident Matthew Davidson said the rain was โrelentlessโ between 9pm and 12pm.
"Multiple manhole covers burst under the pressure at the bottom of Tarawera Terrace and this transformed the roads into a raging torrent," he said.
He said the flooding brought back memories of last year's wild weather as he watched cars flood and water flood into neighbors' homes.
"I have spoken to some of the affected residents and they are having to file insurance claims this morning due to flood damage," Davidson said.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown posted on social media that traffic was paralyzed due to surface flooding around Pakuranga Plaza.
North and east Auckland were hardest hit by the rain, but Auckland Airport and Manukau weather stations also received around 30mm in an hour, of which 7mm was considered heavy rain.
Flooding has also been reported in Coromandel and Putฤruru. More than 40mm fell in an hour on the Coromandel Range and storms remained over the Kaimai Range just before 6am, Wotherspoon said.
Northern firefighters responded to 67 weather-related calls between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., Fire and Emergency shift manager Josh Pennefather said.
There were also 28 alarm activations in commercial buildings due to water ingress.
Fire and Emergency has also responded to four flood-related calls in Putฤruru starting at 7.30am, mostly clearing drains, as thunderstorms and heavy rain hit the South Waikato town overnight and this morning.
