Most of New Zealand is in for heavy rain and severe gales over the next two days.
The MetService has issued a severe weather watch for Otago, Canterbury and the top of the South Island, as well as most of the North Island except the east coast.
Heavy rain is forecast the Otago and Canterbury headwaters overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday morning.
Rain is due to batter the central North Island, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Auckland and Northland on Wednesday night and Thursday.
Strong northerly gales are likely in exposed parts of central and northern New Zealand on Wednesday and Thursday.
