Update 11.07am: The heavy rain warning has been lifted for the Coromandel Peninsula. A rain warning is still in force for the Bay of Plenty east of Rotorua.

Roads around the Coromandel are busy with holiday makers heading home. Yesterday the stream of traffic coming down the Thames Coast into Thames township was steady and there was a long queue at the Kopu-Hikuai intersection.

If you are heading home today, please take care on the rods and excercise patience, it's better to arrive late then not at all.

Earlier: Severe weather warnings remain in place throughout the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel today says the MetService.

However the eastern Bay of Plenty should see heavy rain ease this afternoon.

A front over the upper South Island is expected to move east onto the North Island during today and weaken.

A humid north easterly airstream ahead of the front is bringing rain to much of central and northern New Zealand and in some areas the rain is expected to be heavy at times.

Further heavy rain is likely about the ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty this morning and early afternoon, where another 40 to 60mm may accumulate on top of what has already fallen.

Heavy rain has eased about Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and western Bay of Plenty with the heavy rain warnings for these areas are now lifted.

People, especially those planning outdoor pursuits, are advised this rain will cause rivers and streams to rise rapidly, with slips and flash flooding also possible. Driving conditions will also be hazardous.