More rain's expected around the North Island today

Heavy rain warnings remain in place for Hawke's Bay, Gisborne and Bay of Plenty after much of the island experienced heavy downpours yesterday.

MetService forecaster Cameron Coutts says the upper island can still expect showers too.

He says that rain - and any in the south-west of the island and upper South Island - should ease later in the day.

Coutts says the low front should have cleared to the east of New Zealand by this afternoon.