Blustery winds and heavy rain are continuing to impact parts of the country - particularly the lower North Island

Multiple highways are closed, Wellington rail services, Cook Strait ferry sailings and some regional flights are facing disruptions, and Manawatu-Whanganui, Otorohanga and Waipa remain under states of emergency.

Tens of thousands of properties are without power, some schools are closed and rising floodwaters have forced multiple evacuations.

Wellington Region Emergency Management's Sam Bishop says the past 24 hours have been hectic.

He says emergency operations centres have activated across the Wellington region - including in Wairarapa - to respond to issues like flooding.