Heavy rain and gale warnings are in place for many parts of the country

Overnight rain forced the closure of State Highway six east of Westport this morning which has now been reopened.

But there are still slips at each end of the Lower Buller Gorge, at Uranium Point and Inangahua.

Spokeswoman Moira Whinham says people are being advised to avoid these areas.

MetService is forecasting showers will continue on the South Island's West Coast, while an active front moves easterly across the North Island bringing strong wind and rain until tomorrow.