Heavy downfalls in parts of the North Island are expected to ease by the weekend

Heavy rain will batter inland Tairawhiti today -- and more showers are expected in the Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay ranges.

Many Coromandel roads are closed by flooding and slips, including State Highway 25 at Hikuai and Ruamahunga Bay.

WeatherWatch's Philip Duncan says a new low from the west tomorrow will reset things.

He says by the end of the week the next low will bring normal spring westerlies, meaning Friday and Saturday will be drying back out again.