A severe weather warning has been issued by the Metservice for the Coromandel Peninsula and western Bay of Plenty.

A front from Coromandel Peninsula to Waikato is moving southwards, preceded by heavy rain and easterly gales.

The heaviest falls are expected about Coromandel Peninsula, western Bay of Plenty, Canterbury south of the Rakaia, also northwest Nelson, and Bay of Plenty east of Te Kaha and Gisborne north of Tokomaru Bay.

The heavy rain warning and severe gale warning for Auckland have been lifted but further localised heavy showers and gusts of 100km/h are possible.

Heavy Rain Warning

Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.

Area: Coromandel Peninsula, and Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane, including Rotorua - A further 100 to 140mm possible, in addition to what has already fallen. Rainfall intensities of 10 to 20mm/hr, but possibly up to 25mm/hr this evening.