A Heavy Rain Watch has been issued by the MetService for the Bay Of Plenty, Rotorua, and Gisborne area north of Ruatoria for Sunday night

'Northeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed parts at times,” says a MetService spokesperson.

The heavy rain watch is expected to be in force from 7pm on Sunday through to 6am on Monday.

A Strong Wind Watch has been issued for the Coromandel Peninsula with northeast winds also expected to approach severe gal in exposed parts at times. The watch is in place from 5pm on Sunday to 3am on Monday.

A Severe Weather Watch has also been issued by the MetServices for parts of New Zealand.

This includes heavy rain for the west of the South Island and gale northeasterlies for the northern and western parts of New Zealand.

'A front over the Tasman Sea moves east onto the lower South Island today, then on to the north of the North Island during Sunday as a low develops over the Tasman Sea,” says a MetService spokesperson. 'The front and low are expected to bring heavy rain to western parts of the South Island, and gale northeasterlies to the north and west of the country.

'A Heavy Rain Warning is in force for Westland south of Otira and Fiordland north of George Sound, and now includes the Otago headwaters. A Heavy Rain Watch is in force for the Canterbury headwaters, and Nelson west of Riwaka.

'In addition, a Strong Wind Watch is also in force northern parts of the North Island and northwest parts of the South Island.”

The MetService advise people to stay up to date with the latest forecasts in case any changes are made or further areas are added.

Heavy Rain Watch for other areas of NZ:

Area: Nelson west of Riwaka
Valid: 11 hours from 4pm Sunday to 3am Monday
Forecast: A period of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: The headwater of the Canterbury Lakes and Rivers south of the Rakaia River
Valid: 24 hours from 11am Saturday to 11 am Sunday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, falling as snow above about 1400 metres. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria within 15km of east of the Divide.

Strong Wind Watch:

Area: Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island
Valid: 12 hours from 1pm Sunday to 1am Monday
Forecast: Northeasterly winds may approach severe gale in exposed parts at times.

Area: Coromandel Peninsula
Valid: 10 hours from 5pm Sunday to 3am Monday
Forecast: Northeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed parts at times.

Area: Bay Of Plenty, Rotorua, Gisborne north of Ruatoria
Valid: 11 hours from 7pm Sunday to 6am Monday
Forecast: Northeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed parts at times.

Area: Taranaki, Taihape and inland Whanganui
Valid: 10 hours from 5pm Sunday to 3am Monday
Forecast: Northeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed parts at times.

Area: Nelson west of Takaka, Buller, Westland, Fiordland north of
Milford Sound
Valid: 6 hours from 4pm to 10pm Sunday
Forecast: Northeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed parts at times.