Nelson's Wakefield Volunteer Fire Brigade says it appears the rain has gone for now.

"It did get a bit wet out there this afternoon and tonight," it said, posting an image of flooding outside its station to Facebook.

"Thanks again to all those in the community who listened to the advice and stayed off the roads and limited travel where possible. It certainly makes our job easier."

Nearly 5000 homes are without power across Banks Peninsula tonight.

Orion’s outage map has a record of 4827 outages, with none restored at this stage.

The power is estimated to be restored from midnight onwards.

The worst of the rain is starting to ease, says MetService meteorologist John Law.

Tasman is no longer under a red rain warning while warnings for Northland and Auckland have also lapsed.

“The good news is we’re starting to see a bit of that rain easing off across the western side of the Tasman region. Still some rain to clear through, but looking like the heaviest is already starting to pull away.”

He said the strong wind should also start to ease off as we head through the next few hours, but the regional wasn't entirely out of the woods yet.

“We’re still going to find some showers running through that region, particularly as we head towards tomorrow afternoon.“

The heaviest will be a little bit further down towards the western coast.

”Compared with the wet weather today, it would be much better day for the water-logged region which would give some respite for  recovery efforts, Law said.

Northland and Auckland would also see the rain ease as the whole weather system moved off out towards the east.

“It’s been a wet story, places like Kerikeri, as much as 70mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours. But things are slowly getting better.”

The Bay of Plenty is in for a wet night and current warnings and watches would remain in place until the early hours of Saturday morning.

- Reporting by Natasha Gordon

In Coromandel, there are fresh reports of large rocks that have fallen on Blackjack Rd tonight.

Thames-Coromandel District Council is cautioning Mercury Bay residents saying crews are being sent to assess the rockfall obstruction.

It says those living in Mercury Bay and travelling should take care.

- Reporting by Lynley Ward

Tapawera, which is tonight cut off from many parts of the Tasman district by flooding, is currently without mobile phone coverage.

The Tapawera Volunteer Fire Brigade says the areas is without cell network though One NZ and 2degrees are still working.

The brigade is advising people to check on neighbours if it is safe to do so with power expected to remain off until Saturday afternoon.

Despite the network failure emergency services are still available, the brigade says.

- Reporting by Natasha Gordon

Approximately 13,000 Network Tasman customers are without power in Golden Bay, Motueka, Tapawera and the Waimea Plains.

Fallen trees and flooding are preventing crews from accessing many parts of the network.

The power company said crews will be out at first light to begin repairs.

“Most affected customers can expect to be without power tonight, possibly longer,” Network Tasman said.

Residents are advised to treat all downed powerlines as live and to remember the power may be restored without warning.

- Reporting by Natasha Gordon

Around 30 people are taking refuge in a Motueka tavern after they were evacuated from their flood-ravaged homes tonight.

Hotel Motueka owner Vinny Sibbald told theHeraldthey first opened their doors when the floods hit the other week.“We allow people once the roads get closed, they have nowhere to go, so we open the doors and we allow people to stay for free.

"Just make sure they’ve got something to eat and we’ve got a warm bed.”

Sibbald said he himself had to evacuate tonight with his wife, son, two dogs and cat.

“Strange enough, I had to get evacuated myself and I’m now at the pub.

“We live right on the stream and it was getting very close to the house so we left.”

His family are among a wide variety of people staying at the pub tonight including “truck drivers who are on a run that couldn’t get anywhere. We’ve got families, we’ve got all sorts.”

He said it was very tough because they don’t have power, and understood it wouldn’t be back on till tomorrow.

“I don’t think the frustration’s come out yet. I think it’s just the initial shock, a bit of fear. I think over the next couple of days, that’s when the frustration and that comes in.

“Most people are, are just booked down in their room and chilling. We’ve got a few down in the bar, having, having a beer and something to eat. Luckily we’re, we’ve got gas cooking so our chefs are able to cook up meals when people need them.

“We try and give them something warm and just reassure them that they’re okay, they’re safe.”

- Reporting by Natasha Gordon

Firefighters have responded to roughly 20 weather-related events ranging from flooded houses, lifted roofs, or people stuck in flood waters in the Tasman region.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said all reports have been dealt with and there is nobody outstanding.

Crews remain busy in the Tasman responding to weather-related jobs late tonight.

- Reporting by Natasha Gordon

Nelson residents are facing a new threat tonight with trees starting to topple across the city as high winds ramp up.

Nelson City Council says there are very high winds at the moment.

People are advised to stay inside if possible as there is a risk of being hit by a falling tree.

- Reporting by Lynley Ward

Everyone connected to a Tasman council water supply is being asked to conserve water until further notice.

The Tasman District Council said water supplies had been affected by power outages, flooding or pipe breaks. As the storm conditions continued, others might also be affected in the next few hours.

"We therefore request that everyone on a council water supply conserve water wherever possible until further notice," said the council this evening.

"Of serious concern were the Kaiterieteri and Riwaka water supplies which were at risk of running out of water.

There was also a power cut affecting the Tapawera water treatment plant, which meant there was a limited amount of water left for people on this scheme as they could not currently treat or pump water to the reservoir.

The need to conserve water on this supply was very important, said the council.

"Reducing demand will help ensure that we do not have to supply water that may not have received adequate treatment and that we have sufficient water in storage reservoirs to continue supplying water if damage occurs, power supply cannot be restored quickly or treatment plants cannot be operated effectively."

- Reporting by Lynley Ward