UPDATED 9.24pm: Rain that lashed much of the country over the weekend, closing roads, stranded cars, causing slips, and flooding garages is forecast to continue this week.

Coromandel was one of the worst-hit regions with part of the area cut-off as rising flood waters stranded cars in the area.

State Highway 25 and SH25A, which connect Thames and Pauanui, have been closed by flooding, and with no detours available for Pauanui.

In Thames, firefighters had been unable to get through a flooded ford to reach cars stranded in Kauaeranga Valley, leaving the matter in police hands.

Multiple cars had to be pulled out of flood waters by emergency services after the drivers got stuck.

Police have asked motorists to avoid travel in the area.

There was also a slip on SH3, Mokau River, south of Te Kuiti and another on SH2 at the Karangahake Gorge, causing significant delays.

The Coromandel Peninusla has been the rainiest place in the country, recording 120mm in 24 hours.

Rain is on the cards for most of the week, according to meteorologist Hannah Moes - with places in the North Island exposed to the east likely to continue seeing persistant rainfall.

Civil Defence is advising people in that area to avoid waterways and take extreme care travelling because there is debris on roads from lots of minor slips.