<\/p>\n
\nMotorcylists and drivers are being told to take extra care through State Highway 2 around Remutaka Hill.
\nPhoto: NZTA\n<\/p>\n
Heavy rain and strong winds are forecast to hit central New Zealand in the days leading up to Christmas.<\/p>\n
A front from over the Tasman Sea moved over the North Island on Tuesday, bringing a period of rain and strong northwest winds to central New Zealand.<\/p>\n
MetService has issued a heavy rain watch and strong wind watch.<\/p>\n
Hills and ranges of Waikato and Waitomo, near the coast from Raglan southwards, are under a heavy rain watch from 11am on Tuesday until 9am on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Tararua Range is under a heavy rain watch until noon on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Parts of Buller and Grey Districts were also under a heavy rain watch but this has since expired.<\/p>\n
MetService said there was a moderate chance these watches could be upgraded to warnings.<\/p>\n
Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay are under a strong wind watch from 8am until 5pm on Tuesday and Wellington, also Wairarapa south of Martinborough, is under the watch until 1pm on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is warning motorists in the Wellington region to drive to the conditions.<\/p>\n
Driver visibility remains low along State Highway 1’s Transmission Gully, between Paekakariki and Linden.<\/p>\n
“Please switch your headlights on, increase your following distance, be prepared for unexpected hazards, and drive to the conditions,” NZTA said.<\/p>\n
Motorcyclists and drivers of other lighter vehicles are also being told to take extra care through State Highway 2 around Remutaka Hill.<\/p>\n