Rain warning for Taranaki

Heavy rain and more wind will hammer New Zealand in the first weekend of the new year, with the MetService issuing a severe weather watch around Mount Taranaki and a heavy rain warning for the Tararua ranges.

Wind and rain hammered parts of the lower North Island today, and heavy rain was expected to continue over Taranaki until tomorrow.

Strong westerly winds could hit Hawke's Bay tonight, with forecasters warning people in the region to be wary.

Tomorrow, another north-bound weather front will travel up the South Island, approaching the North Island by early evening. It is forecast to bring heavy rain to the Southern Alps and the South Island's West Coast, followed by more rain the Tararua ranges during the evening, MetService forecaster Gerard Barrow said.

Northwesterly winds would strengthen ahead of the rain front, with gusts reaching severe gale strength in Wellington's exposed places in the afternoon or evening, he said.

- NZPA