Heavy rain is forecast for the West Coast of the South Island this weekend and severe gales in eastern parts of the country.
MetService said a band of rain is crossing New Zealand with the heaviest falls predicted between Fiordland and Buller on Saturday. Up to 150mm is forecast for Fiordland.
North-westerly wind gusts up to 120km per hour will affect inland Canterbury in the afternoon and Wairarapa to Hawke's Bay in the evening.
The gales could reach 140km per hour in the Tararua district and central Hawke's Bay on Sunday.
The weather is expected to improve on Monday.
