Holidaymakers flocking north and south for the Labour Day long weekend are expected to battle big delays on Auckland and Northlandroads this afternoon as a band of heavy rain moves over the country.

Forecaster MetServicehas said “most regions” will see a burst of heavy rain from late Friday until Sunday morning as the front crosses over the motu.

NZ Police and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA)have urged motorists to keep themselves and others safe this Labour weekend – after six people died on the roads during the holiday last year.

NZTA director of land transport Brent Alderton said with more traffic comes the need to take extra care.

“Holiday traffic means there will be congestion on highways in and out of the main urban centres on Friday and Monday. We’re asking everyone to make safe choices to protect themselves and others.

“Please be patient and drive at a safe speed, especially around and through road works. Crews have been out in recent months renewing and rebuilding roads across New Zealand’s state highway network and we urge drivers to take extra care at work sites.”

NZTA has updated its Holiday Journeys interactive travel plannerfor Labour weekend, showing predicted travel conditions for popular routes in Auckland, Northland and the rest of the country.

The planner predicts State Highway 1 heading south from Manukau to Bombay will be heavily congested from before noon through to 6.30pm on Friday.

Traffic heading north on SH1 from Puhoi to Wellsford is expected to be heavy between noon and 7.30pm.

The director of road policing, Superintendent Steve Greally, reiterated there was “no room for complacency” and said police were “determined not to see a repeat” of last Labour weekend’s six deaths.

Greally said staff would be working “tirelessly throughout the country” to make sure everyone stays safe.

“Those who blatantly choose to drive dangerously, whether it’s driving without a seatbelt or impaired by drugs and alcohol, using a mobile phone or speeding, they can expect to be ticketed.”

Forecasters said the country should be preparing for a wet Labour weekend and heavy traffic congestion over the coming days.

A raft of orange heavy rain warnings have been issued for the Tararua Ranges, the Tasman District west of Motueka, the Richmond and Bryant ranges, the Rai Valley and Canterbury High Country throughout Friday into Saturday morning.

MetService warned up to 250mm of rain was expected about the ranges, which much less forecast near the coast.

“Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions [are] possible.”

A warning for the ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty and Gisborne is set to come into effect for 12 hours from 9am tomorrow, bringing with it up to 100mm of rain and a possibility of thunderstorms.

“Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously,” MetService said.

Slips and power cuts plagued the Lower North Island overnight on Thursday as strong winds battered the region.

About 350 homes lost power in the Wellington region after the winds struck.

Wellington Electricity said power was expected to be restored by about 7am today.

Further south, NZTA said, SH6 between Whataroa and Harihari was closed by a rockfall.

MetService forecaster Luis Fernandes said almost all of New Zealand would experience some rain on Saturday.

“The South Island is particularly wet to start the day off and then the rain is spreading across the North Island as the day goes on,” he said.

“By late afternoon or early evening, just about all of the North Island will have had at least some rain.”

He said South Island residents would face a cold Saturday.

“Pretty much from Canterbury southwards, temperatures will be low. There could be snow down to 500 metres for inland Canterbury and parts of Otago, along with the wet weather.”

However, by Sunday, much of the low-pressure system forecast to soak the country on Saturday would weaken.

“We’re going to see showers in some places, especially in the morning,” Fernandes said.

“The rain then becomes confined to the western parts of the country. The west coasts of both North and South Islands, including Auckland down to Wellington and down to Southland, could continue to see a few showers.”

The system is forecast to weaken further and move off the country by Monday, however, showers may linger in western parts of both islands.

Temperatures are set to linger in the low 20s for much of the North Island on Saturday.

“For Northland, Auckland and Waikato, we’re seeing 20C on average,” Fernandes said.

“But if you head towards the eastern part of the island, Hawke’s Bay, the Wairarapa, and places like Whanganui we’re likely to see temperatures in the mid-20s.

“Even towards Wellington, we’re seeing temperatures towards the 20C mark.”

On Sunday, temperatures are expected to drop.

“Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne will be reaching the mid-20s on Sunday, but elsewhere we will see a slight dip in temperatures from the high teens to the 20C mark.”

Fernandes said motorists need to be prepared for driving in wet conditions.

“Anyone who is heading out on to the road, particularly on Saturday, should be aware that wet weather will be around,” he said.

“People who are driving through the high country on the South Island, particularly Canterbury, should be aware that there could be snow.”