Fiordland and Westland received the brunt of the bad weekend weather, and severe rain warnings are in place today, Metservice meteorologist Stephen Glassey said.
"All of the action today is on the South Island's West Coast," Glassey said.
A series of fronts embedded in a moist northwest flow are expected to move northwards over the South Island today and tomorrow.
Periods of heavy rain are expected about and west of the main divide early this morning until Tuesday morning.
In southern Westland up to 180mm could fall from 9am this morning to 9am Tuesday, and in Fiordland 90mm could accumulate by 3pm today, before another burst of up to 50mm Tuesday morning. Thunderstorms are also possible.
"Some rain may spread over to the East Coast, but not much," Glassey said.
The North Island is under a ridge of high pressure, and is in for a warm and dry day with some high cloud in western areas but clear skies in the east.
There may be the odd shower around some of the ranges, but these should fall away from areas people are driving.
Tomorrow some showers may move into southwestern parts of the North Island as the weakening front moves north.
From Wednesday a westerly flow forms over the country, bringing some showers to western parts in both main islands, before a ridge builds into Thursday.
"It looks like there should be quite a bit of fine weather around the country this week," Glassey said.
On Friday another weakening front moves onto the South island, while the North Island stays under a ridge of high pressure.
North of New Zealand Tropical Cyclone Josie developed near Fiji on Saturday night, bringing heavy rain and strong wind causing major flooding in parts of the country.
The Fiji Metservice forecasts the system to remain category 1, and track southeast over the next few days.
Glassey said it was expected to stay "well to the east of New Zealand".
Today's weather
Whangarei Fine, southeasterlies dying out this morning. 23C high, 12C overnight.
Auckland Fine apart from morning cloud. Light winds. 21C high, 13C overnight.
Hamilton Morning cloud then mainly fine. Westerly breezes. 21C high, 9C overnight.
Tauranga Fine with light winds. 23C high, 12C overnight.
New Plymouth Mostly cloudy. Northwest breezes. 20C high, 15C overnight.
Napier Fine. Northwesterlies. 24C high, 11C overnight.
Wellington Fine spells, cloud increasing this evening. Strong northerlies. 19C high, 16C overnight.
Nelson Fine with high cloud. Light winds. 20C high, 13C overnight.
Christchurch Fine with high cloud. Chance rain this evening. Northerlies. 22C high, 15C overnight.
Dunedin High cloud. Brief light rain this morning. Northerlies. 22C high, 13C overnight.
