Heavy rain hits the North Island

MICHELLE COOKE, WITH KERRY MCBRIDE

A car has been swept away by a surging river near Whangamata while a landslip has closed one of the main roads to Tauranga.

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Has bad weather seen your New Year's Eve event cancelled? Email us at newstips@stuff.co.nz

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About 100 people are stranded at the Wentworth Valley Camping Grounds as the river ford which obstructs the road to the campground is so high one car was swept down the river while trying to cross it.

"With rain continuing river levels have risen and about 12.15pm we were advised a car carrying two people had been swept away on the ford, luckily the two occupants were able to get out and make it to safety without incident," Sergeant Dave Raffan of the Whangamata police said.

The car was in the river with its motor still running, the campground's owner Mark Flanagan said.

Flanagan said the river rose several times a year, blocking the road.

The incident occurred shortly after midday on Wentworth Valley Rd. Police have closed the road, stranding about 100 people at the campground.

"Managers at the camp site have assured us the 100 or so occupants are all safe and well however it will be at least 3 to 4 hours after the rain stops before the fords will be able to be crossed and there's no sign of the rain letting up at the moment."

Meanwhile, a landslip has closed State Highway 29, the main road between Tauranga and Cambridge.

All lanes were closed but police expected one lane to be freed up "very soon".

Motorists were being diverted but police urged drivers to stay away from the area.

Police have warned motorists to take extreme care while driving as bursts of heavy rain and thunder storms were possible, and could lead to slips, surface flooding and rising rivers.

NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATIONS CANCELLED

Thousands of people have had to change their New Year's plans as torrential rain continues to pound down throughout the country.

One of the country's most popular holiday spots has had its New Year's event cancelled, and police say Whangmata's celebrations may also have to be axed.

Police announced yesterday that the New Year's Eve event planned for the Mt Maunganui Main Beach had been cancelled.

The fireworks would still go ahead but the entertainment had been called off because high onshore winds could threaten the structure of the stages, police said.

Whangmata's popular event at Williamson Park was also under threat, with police warning it may also have to be cancelled.

The small Coromandel town's population explodes at this time of the year, with most people swarming to the park for the countdown.

The sold-out Coromandel Gold event is still going ahead, but those attending have been warned to come prepared.

Wet and windy conditions forced the cancellation of a fireworks display over Wellington Harbour tonight.

Wellington City Council's City Events Manager, Lauren Fantham, says the display had been scheduled to start at midnight to mark the New Year.

The council also cancelled music and celebrations that were planned to start at 8pm at Frank Kitts Park and Odlin's Plaza on the waterfront.

Palmerston North City Council has canned the New Year in the Square celebrations and Tauranga City Council has cancelled the New Year's Eve event at Mt Maunganui because of safety concerns.

Some music festivals are under way, with more than 25,000 people starting their New Year party at the Rhythm and Vines festival in Gisborne yesterday.

Festival co-director Hamish Pinkham said people were taking cover when required.

"We've got over 5000 campers on site who can jump in their tents if needs be, and we've got plenty of rain ponchos for those who want them," he said.

Revellers at Wairarapa's La De Da festival were proving resilient.

Organiser Josh Mossman said about 60 per cent of the festival was being held in the open, but the rain was not heavy enough to deter festival fans.

"It's a good crowd and people are happy. There are dry areas people can get to easily if needs be, but everyone has just put their rainjackets on to tough it out."

The Coro Gold festival in Whitianga also went ahead, organiser Peter Campbell said.

Organisers had brought in extra staff and dug irrigation trenches to cope with the rain.

"But everything seems to be running as smoothly as can be expected," he said.

MORE BAD WEATHER ON THE WAY

The MetService warned of bursts of heavy rain for the central and northern parts of the country today, with severe thunderstorms possible for the central North Island this evening.

Heavy rain was expected in Taranaki this morning, and around the Tongariro National Park.

Some parts of the Wairarapa could experience heavy rainfall until tonight, and Bay of Plenty residents and visitors could expect to continue to be drenched until Sunday morning.

The rain was also not over for Aucklanders, who were hit with heavy rain and thunderstorms last night.

The City of Sails had 36.8mm of rain overnight when heavy downpours and thunderstorms moved in from the far North.

MetService meteorologist Daniel Corbett said rain would ease in the next few hours but Auckland would be hit with further showers, some thundery in the afternoon, part of a main low that is sitting to the west of the North Island.

The low will slowly drift its way across the North Island and is expected to ease on Sunday and Monday.

- © Fairfax NZ News