The Bay of Plenty is being issued a heavy rain watch from 9.00pm Monday July 11, until 3.00pm Tuesday, July 12.

"Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may reach warning criteria," says a MetService spokesperson.

"Relatively settled weather is expected on Sunday, then from late Monday into Tuesday, a low is forecast to move southwards to the west of the North Island directing a strong and moist east to northeast flow across the Island.

"Rain with heavy falls are expected for parts of central and northern New Zealand during this time, with warning amounts of rain likely about the Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty
and northern Gisborne where Heavy Rain Watches are now in force.

"People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case any changes are made, or further areas are added."

Areas under heavy rain watch:

Area: Coromandel Peninsula
Valid: 18 hours from 3:00 pm Monday to 9:00 am Tuesday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may reach warning
criteria.

Area: Bay Of Plenty
Valid: 18 hours from 9:00 pm Monday to 3:00 pm Tuesday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may reach warning
criteria.

Area: Gisborne north of Tolaga Bay
Valid: 18 hours from 6:00 pm Monday to 12:00 pm Tuesday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may reach warning
criteria.

Area: Tararua Range
Valid: 14 hours from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm Saturday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms. Rainfall
amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: The ranges of Buller
Valid: 12 hours from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Saturday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach
warning criteria.

Area: The headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers
Valid: 11 hours from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm Saturday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may exceed warning
criteria within 15 km east of the main divide. Freezing level around
2000 metres, lowering to around 1200 metres this afternoon.

Areas under strong wind watch:

Area: Hawke's Bay south of Hastings
Valid: 11 hours from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm Saturday
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Marlborough
Valid: 6 hours from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Wellington and Wairarapa south of Featherston
Valid: 11 hours from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm Saturday
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Canterbury High Country
Valid: 3 hours from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Saturday
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Westland south of Hokitika
Valid: 20 hours from 1:00 pm Saturday to 9:00 am Sunday
Forecast: Southeast winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

For more information on the Tauranga and Bay of Plenty forecast, visit the MetService website, https://www.metservice.com/towns-cities/locations/tauranga.