MetService has a heavy rain watch in place for Fiordland and the far south of Westland about Mt Aspiring National Park.
The watch is for the possibility of rainfall meeting warning criteria, especially around high areas.
The watch was targetted at trampers and others headed into the region.
There was also a low risk, 20 per cent chance, of thunderstorms in Northland as a trough lay over the region in the morning bringing occasional rain.
"The weather will become a little bit more settled by the weekend, fine for the North Island aside from some isolated showers.
"The South Island will have some rain in the West and by Sunday it will be fine spells with the odd shower."
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research said the climate outlook between October and December looked to have drier weather patterns overall which could have an impact on agriculture and increase the impact of fire during this season.
Your weather
Whangārei: Occasional rain developing during the morning, possibly heavy at times, clearing evening. Easterly breezes. High 17C Low 13C
Auckland: Cloudy. A few showers until evening, mostly likely in the afternoon and possibly heavy south of the city. Light winds. High 18C Low 10C
Tauranga: Partly cloudy, chance afternoon shower. Light winds and afternoon sea breezes. High 17C Low 9C
Whanganui: Cloudy periods, but longer fine spells in the afternoon. Northwesterlies. High 18C Low 7C
Napier: Fine with high cloud. Light winds with afternoon sea breezes. High 19C Low 6C
Wellington: Partly cloudy. Strong northerlies. High 15C Low 11C
Christchurch: Fine with afternoon high cloud. Northerlies. High 20C Low 8C
Dunedin: High cloud and northwesterlies with chance morning shower, then occasional rain from afternoon with a southerly change. High 15C Low 7C
