With an Orange Heavy Rain Warning in place for this evening, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has made the decision to proactively close State Highway 2 Waioweka Gorge from 6pm tonight until further notice. The route is especially vulnerable in poor weather.

Closure points for the Waioweka Gorge at 6pm tonight:

-The Ōpōtiki closure point will be Waioeka Pa Road.

-The second closure (Gisborne side) will be at Opato.

These locations also have plenty of turn-around space.

Emergency services and residential lifelines will be navigated through the event when safe and appropriate.

The road will be reassessed as soon as possible in the morning, depending on the conditions and whether clearance work is needed before considering reopening.

As heavy rain and strong gales sweep from south to north, 22 rain and wind alerts have been issued across the country.

MetService has warned it likely means a "significant weather event" will affect large parts of the country.

Northland is in the firing line, with forecasts expecting the area to receive up to 200mm of rain on top of what has already fallen. 

A heavy rain watch has been issued in place until 5am.Tasman northwest of Motueka, Taranaki, Richmond and Bryant Ranges, Buller, Westland south of Hokitika, Bay of Plenty and the Tongariro National Park are all under heavy rain warnings.

People have been advised to clear drains and gutters and drive cautiously, keeping an eye on surface flooding.

Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Taupō, Tongariro National Park, parts of Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough and Fiordland are all under a heavy rain watch.