Flooding is worsening on the Coromandel Peninsula, with motorists advised to avoid the area unless it is absolutely necessary..

State Highway 25 is now closed to all but four-wheel drive vehicles between Whitianga and Coroglen.

A slip has completely blocked the road between Coromandel and Kuaotunu, with the highway already closed earlier between Coromandel and Tapu.

The rest of State Highway 25 is subject to a number of warnings.

There is also an ice warning, stretching from the Bay of Plenty to Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki and Manawatu.

Transit NZ will be putting up signs at Tararu, north of Thames, to warn drivers against travelling to the flooded area.

Rain has also brought down a slip on State Highway 5 between Taupo and Napier.

In Auckland, a rare heavy rain warning has been issued for the city, south of about Takapuna.

Heavy rain warnings are also in place for the Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa and Marlborough.

– NEWSTALK ZB