Severe weather is on the way for the whole of the South Island with heavy rain and galeforce winds predicted from Wednesday afternoon.
The MetService is forecasting heavy rain for Fiordland and the West Coast and severe galeforce winds elsewhere, especially in Canterbury.
MetService forecaster, Allister Gorman, said the worst-affected area will be inland Canterbury where wind gusts could get up to 150kph in some areas.
He said the winds will have the potential to damage loose structures and bring down trees and people should take precautions.
The worst of the weather is expected on Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning and isn't expected to ease until Saturday.
