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Heavy rain and gale force winds are set to hit the top of the South Island and bottom half of the North Island.
MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said Cyclone Funa would be moving over the South Island today.
" There's already been some rain there overnight and some heavy rain is expected about the Southern Alps and the ranges for northwest Nelson and for Marlborough, also for Mount Taranaki."
The winds would also be particularly gusty this afternoon, he told Radio New Zealand.
" Around Wellington and between Hastings and Marlborough and right across from Nelson through to North Canterbury - very strong north-westerlies in those regions."'
Gusts of 110km/h to 130km/h were possible which could damage trees, power lines and roofs.
People in Buller, Nelson and Marlborough were warned to watch for rapidly rising rivers and streams as intense rainfall is expected over a short period of time.
In Auckland, where Sir Edmund Hillary's state funeral is being held today, it had been a grey dawn after a humid, damp and windy night , he said.
" There are going to be some breaks in the cloud today. The winds will be turning more north-westerly and easing.
"But MetService radar does show that there are a few showers on their way as well. These are just brief showers but it would be a good idea to take along the umbrella as well."
The weather should return to normal summer weather in a couple of days, Mr McDavitt said.
- NZPA
