A stranded woman has been rescued by a Hawke's Bay farmer after she got trapped in rising floodwaters.

The woman was attempting to drive her station-wagon through a flooded ford on Makahu Road in Puketitiri, northwest of Napier, when she got caught by rising water.

Police say the woman called emergency services at about 8.30am on Thursday, saying the water was quickly rising around her.

Half an hour later, the water had risen to her waist and a local farmer came to her rescue with a tractor.

Police say heavy rain throughout the Hawke's Bay region has made some roads treacherous but there have been no reports of major incidents.

Snow and rain has pelted the North Island during the past 48 hours, with Desert Road closed due to snow.