It's going to be a wet weekend for parts of the country and some areas are already on high alert for flooding

Officials are keeping an eye on the West Coast's Grey River, which already has light surface flooding.

There are heavy rain warnings in place for Tongariro National Park, Mount Taranaki and Nelson, west of Motueka.

Warnings are also in place for the Tararua Range and Buller.

West Coast Emergency Management Group spokesperson Erica Andrews says people should be wary.

She says people should avoid going near large rivers in the area because they can rise rapidly.