Heavy rain has eased in parts of the South Island - but the lower North Island is still in line for a heavy downpour.
MetService has lifted rain warnings for Buller, Westland and the headwaters of Canterbury and Otago.
But it expects up to 80 millimetres of rain to hit the Tararua Ranges north of Wellington over a short period on Sunday night, easing by about 2am.
A short spell of heavy rain is also likely about Mt Taranaki.
People in these areas should watch for rapidly rising watercourses and possible flooding.
Meanwhile north or northwest gales in Wellington and Wairarapa are expect to ease by around midnight on Sunday.
