Bay of Plenty Regional Council is taking precautions ahead of forecast heavy rain

It's advising those living near the Rangitaiki River, the Matahina Dam will be spilling over the next 24 hours.

Duty flood manager Peter Blackwood says they do this to reduce the risk on communities in the lower part of the river, by allowing the water to flow through early.

Heavy rain caused the Rangitaiki River to breach a stop bank next to Edgecumbe, causing widespread flooding across the township in 2017.