An intense front is set to bring heavy rain and severe northwest gales to some parts of both islands tonight and into Monday, MetService says.
It has issued a raft of weather warnings and watches as a result.
"An intense front, embedded in a strong and moist northwesterly flow, moves north over central New Zealand Sunday evening and onto the North Island on Monday," the forecaster said.
"It brings heavy rain to some western South Island areas and parts of the North Island. Severe northwest gales are likely to affect many South Island areas, and the lower North island."
High winds today saw six Air New Zealand flights return to Auckland and a number of the airline's flights from Wellington cancelled.
An orange heavy rain warning has been issued for Mount Taranaki, Tararua Range, and the Grey and Buller Districts from tonight into tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, an orange strong wind warning is in place for Marlborough Sounds, Kaikōura ranges and Kaikōura coast, Wellington and Wairarapa south of Masterton, and Canterbury High Country until tomorrow morning.
MetService said severe northwest gales gusting 130km/h in exposed places could be expected for Marlborough Sounds, Kaikōura ranges and Kaikōura coast, along with Wellington and Wairarapa south of Masterton.
The Canterbury High Country could expect severe northwest gales with localised damaging gusts of up to 150km/h in exposed places.
A strong wind watch is in place for Wairarapa including the Tararua District from about Masterton northwards and Hawke's Bay south of Hastings, Marlborough apart from the Sounds, Kaikōura ranges and Kaikōura coast, and Canterbury Plains and Banks Peninsula until tomorrow morning.
It comes amid heavy rain and severe northwest gales for much of the South Island and parts of the lower North Island.
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9:02pm
The forecaster has also issued a heavy rain watch for the Bay of Plenty ranges east of Ōpōtiki from 3pm tomorrow to 4am on Tuesday.
People can keep up to date with the latest forecasts on MetService's website.
