After a night of continuous rain for North Islanders, more rain will fall throughout the day today across most of the island.

In fact, heavy rain is expected on the east side of the island.  Heavy rain warnings are in effect for the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawkes Bay.

Gale warnings are up for the eastern Bay of Plenty ranges, around the Taupo area, the central plateau and Taumarunui.  Government forecaster MetService, who issued the warnings, says that gales of up to 120km/hr are possible in these areas until mid-afternoon.

The South Island should start to see some of this rain today as well.  Tasman, Nelson and Marlborough are like to start getting wet before noon.  The majority of the rain will then move slowly down the eastern side of the island moving into the Christchurch area this evening.  Whilst not likely, heavy rain is a possibility for these areas.  It is something that will have to be watched.