MetService has issued a severe weather watch, as heavy rain is expected for the Bay of Plenty and parts of central North Island today.

A heavy rain watch is in placed for the Bay of Plenty east of Whakatane for the period from Wednesday morning to 9pm on Thursday.

"Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria," says a MetService spokesperson.

An unsettled northwesterly flow is forecast to bring periods of heavy rain to parts of central and southern North Island this morning and tomorrow.

Heavy rain in the south eases today but bursts of heavy rain continue to affect some parts of the North Island.

A moist easterly flow is expected to bring further heavy rain to the southeast of the South Island. This rain is expected to ease from the north today.

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

A heavy rain watch is in place for these areas:

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

Tongariro National Park
Valid: 35 hours from 8:00 am Wednesday to 7:00 pm Thursday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria till around 2 pm Wednesday afternoon. Expect another period of heavy rain where rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria from 6 am Thursday to 7 pm Thursday.

Mount Taranaki
Valid: 33 hours from 8:00 am Wednesday to 5:00 pm Thursday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria till around 10 am Wednesday morning. Expect another period of heavy rain where rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria from 3 am Thursday to 5 pm Thursday.

Horowhenua to Wellington and the Tararua Range
Valid: 16 hours from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm Thursday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Clutha
Valid: 15 hours from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm Wednesday
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.