Wet weather has pounded the Bay of Plenty overnight and into this morning with a heavy rain watch in the region in place until 7pm tonight.

An orange warning for rain is in place for the Bay of Plenty in the region of Whakatāne and east of there.

Periods of heavy rain are expected, according to MetService, with the potential for 100 to 160mm to accumulate, especially about the ranges. Peak rates could reach 15 to 25mm an hour.

A yellow watch is in place for the rest of the Bay of Plenty, including Rotorua, where rainfall amounts may approach more severe warning criteria.

'A slow-moving front continues to affect the North Island Sunday and Monday, bringing further periods of heavy rain to eastern and northern areas,” says a MetService statement.

'Orange warnings for heavy rain are in force for Hawke's Bay north of Napier, Gisborne, Bay of Plenty about and east of Whakatane, Coromandel Peninsula and Waikato.”

As well as the Bay of Plenty heavy rain watches are in force for Hawke's Bay and Auckland including Great Barrier Island.

A previous red warning for Taranaki has now lifted.

'People are advised to keep up to date with the latest warnings and watches,” says the MetService.

There are localised reports of fallen trees and slips causing blockages on the some smaller roads in the region. A slip has reduced part of State Highway 35 to one lane.

The rain is expected to ease this evening.