KEY POINTS:
This weekend may be a good chance to catch up on household chores as bad weather hits most of the country.
Flooding and slips are expected as a low from the sub-tropics makes its way down to New Zealand today, bringing gusty easterly winds and heavy rain to most of the the North Island and the top of the South Island.
The Weather Watch Centre says gale-force winds are possible in the eastern Waikato.
Winds are likely to start building in Northland early this morning, reaching Auckland tonight or early tomorrow.
Easterlies had yesterday begun to pick up over Northland with high cloud stretching down to Auckland.
A rain warning issued by the MetService this morning indicated Northland residents could expect between 100 and 150mm of rain in the 24-hour period from 6pm tonight.
Auckland residents can expect a similar amount of rain in the 24 hours from 6am tomorrow.
Head weather analyst Philip Duncan said the low was expected to track down the middle of the North Island, delivering much-needed rain to farmers on the east coast.
The rain created by ex-tropical cyclone Innis last week occurred mostly in the west of New Zealand, meaning the heaviest rain failed to reach Gisborne and Hawkes Bay, he said.
"The centre of this low should pass very near these dry areas so the chances of a drenching are much higher."
Heavy rain might cause flooding in some areas, Mr Duncan said.
"Northland, Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty will likely be the highest risk areas for any flooding, with East Cape also exposed to heavy rain which may cause slips."
Lower flood risks remain over southern Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, Wairarapa and southern Canterbury.
Conditions at sea are likely to be rough with low visibility and large swells developing tomorrow around Northland, Auckland and the Bay of Plenty.
The MetService warned east to northeast gales gusting up to 120 km/h were expected in parts of Auckland, inland Waikato and the Firth of Thames from early tomorrow. Boat owners were advised to check their moorings.
By Sunday, rain will have spread to most parts of the South Island but will have cleared in Marlborough and Nelson. Lighter showers are expected over the North Island with the east coast becoming clearer.
Temperatures in Auckland will remain warm.
