Island-Sity

The rest of the South Island was relatively unscathed, though Met Service had issued a gale warning for the valleys of Buller and Westland north of Hokitika. Heavy winds are forecast to continue until about midday tomorrow.

In the top of the North Island, Inspector Shawn Rutene of the police northern communications centre said flooding and slips were causing great difficulty.

The latest affected area was Broadlands Road, northeast of Taupo, where a large tree fell across the road, bringing down power lines.

"The road is fully blocked and with gale-force winds still in the area it's likely to be blocked for the next 12 hours," Mr Rutene said.

There were also blocks on roads near Whitianga, Huntly, Ngaruawahia, Waihi and Matamata.

Police had earlier reported slips blocking Belk Road North at Omanawa, 10km southwest of Tauranga, and at Muriwai Terrace in Whakatane.

Mr Rutene said drivers should consider delaying trips on State Highway 25 just south of Whitianga between Wade Rd and the 309 Rd, where surface flooding covered nearly half the road.

"We are requesting that the public only travel if they need to, and if they do, they should take extreme caution," he said.

Further south on State Highway 25, there were reports of rocks "as big as a dinner plate" on the road near Waihi, Mr Rutene said. Roads in Huntly was blocked, and flooding caused one vehicle to veer left on a bridge at Taihoa, near Matamata.

"The main thing is to drive to the conditions if they do need to drive, and if possible they should think about stopping, having a cup of tea and waiting it out," Mr Rutene said

A heavy rain warning was issued for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay tonight and tomorrow. Up to 150 to 200mm of rain was expected in the ranges around Gisborne and Hawke's Bay through tomorrow and Thursday, MetService said, while strong winds were expected for eastern Bay of Plenty.