MetService has issued a severe rain watch for parts of the North Island, including Bay of Plenty and Coromandel Peninsula.

Bay of Plenty's rain watch is in place for 13 hours from 8pm Thursday, July 14, to 9am Friday, July 15.

There has also been a strong wind watch issued for the Bay of Plenty east of Whakatane from 5am to 9am, Friday, July 15.

"A low is expected to move southeast near the coast for the upper North Island tonight (Thursday), through to earily Friday morning, bringing a period of strong southerly winds and heavy rain to places recently impacted by rainfall," says a MetService spokesperson.

"Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria."

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

Heavy rain watch locations:

Auckland including Great Barrier Island, and Coromandel Peninsula
Valid: 8 hours from 8:00 pm Thursday to 4:00 am Friday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach
warning criteria.

Bay of Plenty
Valid: 13 hours from 8:00 pm Thursday to 9:00 am Friday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach
warning criteria.

Gisborne
Valid: 13 hours from 8:00 pm Thursday to 9:00 am Friday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach
warning criteria.

Hawke's Bay north of Mohaka
Valid: 14 hours from 8:00 pm Thursday to 10:00 am Friday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach
warning criteria.

Strong wind watch locations:

Northland
Valid: 5 hours from 8:00 pm Thursday to 1:00 am Friday
Forecast: Southwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Auckland including Great Barrier Island, and Coromandel
Peninsula
Valid: 4 hours from 12:00 am to 4:00 am Friday
Forecast: Southwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Bay of Plenty east of Whakatane and Gisborne north of Ruatoria
Valid: 4 hours from 5:00 am to 9:00 am Friday
Forecast: South to southeast winds may approach severe gale in
exposed places.

For more information on the active weather warnings in New Zealand, visit https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home.

For the latest Tauranga weather forecast, visit https://www.metservice.com/towns-cities/locations/tauranga.