Motorists are being urged to take care on roads after a strong wind warning was issued for many parts of the South.
MetService said severe gales were likely to hit eastern Otago and coastal Southland, including Stewart Island, with gusts of 130kmh in exposed places. The gusts could reach 140kmh in parts of Canterbury.
Flood-hit parts of the country are also in for more rain at the end of the week.
Four Square Stewart Island owner/operator Samuel Jenkinson said it was calm on the island this afternoon, although squally patches were blowing through.
"Right now you cast your eye out there and it's looking beautiful, but this morning it's been nasty as," he said. "The anticipation is it's just going to be nasty and horrible for the next few days at least."
The New Zealand Transport Agency advised caution on many southern highways, owing to the strong winds.
- Check highway conditions here
A series of deep lows was expected to pass south of New Zealand this week, maintaining a strong, disturbed westerly flow over the country.
MetService said a front was moving northwards across the South Island and lower North Island this afternoon and evening, and winds were expected to ease behind this front.
However, westerlies were likely to rise to gale in the aforementioned areas again tomorrow, and could become severe about Southland, Clutha and Dunedin.
Winds of this strength have the potential to damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures, as well as making driving hazardous for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Because the westerly gales stretch from the Indian Ocean to New Zealand, significant swells are forecast for western and southern coastal areas this week. North of Raglan they are forecast to rise to four metres today and tomorrow.
They get larger heading south, with eight-metre swells expected to at times batter Fiordland and the southern coastline until Wednesday morning.
On Saturday, the weather could be nasty in Wellington for the Hurricanes versus Highlanders Super 15 rugby final. A strong and cold southerly change early in the day is forecast to bring showers, easing towards the 7.35pm kickoff.
- Additional reporting from NZME. News Service
