27 minutes ago

Several warnings are in place for the North Island.

A rainy start to winter is on the way, with orange heavy rain warnings for some areas.

MetService said a front moving in from the Tasman will bring heavy rain and possible thunderstorms to western areas of the North Island, from Taranaki to Wellington.

Heavy rain watches and warnings have been issued for Taranaki, Horowhenua, Kāpiti, and Wellington from late Thursday evening. They are at the orange level for Bay of Plenty, east of Whakatāne and Taranaki north of Eltham.