Heavy rain and severe gales in exposed areas are forecast for Wairarapa today and tomorrow.
MetService has issued a severe weather watch for Wairarapa, Wellington, Taranaki, Nelson and Buller as an active trough moves east over the country.
The trough is accompanied by a broad area of strong moist northwesterlies.
Rain could become heavy in exposed North Island areas such as the Tararua Range, Kapiti and the north of Wellington.
Northwesterly gales may become severe in some exposed areas.