Bay of Plenty Police are warning motorists to stay off the roads unless travel is essential.
The rain affecting northern regions is now spreading across Bay of Plenty, causing multiple slips and bringing down several large trees.
Roads are blocked and there is already widespread flooding, which is expected to worsen over the course of the day.
SH2 is closed at Maniatutu with diversions in place, while a landslide is partially blocking SH 29 at Omanawa.
