Severe weather warnings are in place for the entire North Island and the top of the South Island as Cyclone Gabrielle nears.

A red heavy rain warning has been issued for Coromandel, while an orange warning is in place for Northland, Auckland and Great Barrier Island.

Strong wind warnings are also in place.

Rain has been falling overnight in Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

The rain is forecast to get heavier today with severe gales also likely.

MetService said the amount of rain forecast for Coromandel Peninsula and northern Gisborne is expected to cause dangerous river conditions and significant flooding.