A heavy rain watch for Wairarapa and the Tararua Ranges from 9am Tuesday until 6am Thursday is likely to be upgraded to warning levels, MetService says.

A heavy rain watch for Wairarapa and the Tararua Ranges from 9am Tuesday until 6am Thursday is likely to be upgraded to warning levels, MetService says.

Follow our liveblog above for the latest updates

Severe gales and heavy falls are set to lash central and southern parts of the North Island on Thursday.

Wairoa District Council is telling residents to be ready to leave at a moment's notice.