Heavy rain is expected to pound parts of the South Island today.
Strong northerlies and a period of heavy rain was forecast for the West Coast and the Alps, MetService said.
The heaviest falls were expected in the ranges of Westland, in Fiordland north of about Milford Sound, and the ranges of northwest Nelson.
A large amount of spillover rain was also expected for the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers.
Northerlies could also rise to severe gales in Wellington this evening.