A complex weather system is expected to bring heavy rain to the centre and north of New Zealand overnight on Wednesday.
The MetService warns up to 150 millimetres of rain is likely in the eastern ranges of Bay of Plenty and in the northern Gisborne area.
These latest weather warnings follow flash-flooding in Nelson on Wednesday afternoon, which forced the evacuation of an entire street in the suburb of Victory, and the cancellation of some flights into Nelson airport.
The downpour was part of a northerly front crossing the country which has made driving hazardous in some places.
A Transport Agency spokesperson said State Highway 73 from Otira to Kumara Junction and State Highway 6 from Hari Hari to Haast were flooded, while gale-force winds were making the stretch of highway between Haast and Hokitika hazardous.
Strong winds of up to 130km/h have hit parts of Canterbury, Marlborough and Wellington but are expected to ease on Wednesday night.
Downpours in Bay of Plenty and Gisborne are forecast to ease at about noon on Thursday.
