A large storm is due to hit the South Island and lower North Island today, bringing thunderstorms, heavy rain and potential squalls.
Severe weather warnings have been issued by Metservice, including heavy rain warnings for much of the West Coast with severe gales of speeds up to 130km an hour in Wairarapa, Wellington, Marlborough and Canterbury.
Forecasters are also warning of other severe weather with possible thunderstorms on the South Island's West Coast and west coast of the North Island overnight tonight and into tomorrow.
WeatherWatch head analyst Philip Duncan says the storm is showing up clearly on satellite imagery.
"This is a significant storm and while the centre of the low won't actually come near New Zealand it is large enough to push gales, heavy rain and potentially damaging squalls up the South Island and lower North Island today."