Much of the country will be pounded by heavy rain today, with Westland and Canterbury expected to bear the brunt of it.
MetService has this morning issued a severe weather warning for Westland and the Canterbury headwaters, forecasting bursts of heavy rain with strong north-west winds.
MetService said heavy rain had already fallen in ranges of Westland and about the Canterbury headwaters, and with further bursts of heavy rain forecast for the area, MetService said people in the area, especially trampers, should watch for rising or already swollen rivers and streams.
Meanwhile, MetService has issued a severe weather watch for Northland, Auckland, the Bay of Plenty, Nelson, Buller, and Fiordland.
Heavy rain, with possible thundery falls, was expected to bash Fiordland, Buller and north-west Nelson today.