A large depression, which WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasts describe as a “7 day low”, has prompted government forecaster MetService to issue several rain warnings.

The warnings cover a number of North Island regions including Waikato, Taumarunui, Tongariro, Taihape and Taranaki.

MetService says up to 120mm of rain is likely to fall with the heaviest falls late Thursday morning and Thursday afternoon.

The low is moving in from Tasmania and is so large it will take up to 7 days to cross the country says WeatherWatch.co.nz