Te Tai Tokerau (Northland) communities have been told to be ready to evacuate at short notice with more heavy rain falling today. 

Red heavy rain warnings are already in force for Northland, and from later today for Auckland north of Orewa and Coromandel Peninsula.

There are orange heavy rain warnings for Auckland from Orewa southwards, Great Barrier Island, Bay of Plenty and northern Gisborne.

MetService has also issued thunderstorm, rain and strong wind watches.

RNZ's political editor Jane Patterson spoke to Māni Dunlop from Whangārei.