Large swathes of the country are waking up under MetService weather warnings

Yellow and orange warnings are extending up the East Coast from Christchurch to Gisborne, from last night and continuing today.

There's a red heavy rain warning for Manawatu, Rangitikei and Ruapehu districts which will last until at least 3pm today.

Other regions could be subjected to wind speeds of up to 130 kilometres an hour.

MetService Metereologist Alanna Burrows says people need to keep vigilant.

She says people in the warning areas should stay up to date with Civil Defence advice.

The Manawatu-Whanganui region, and Waipa and Otorohanga districts have declared a State of Emergency and are urging residents to avoid travel and prepare for extreme conditions.