The MetService has issued a severe weather warning for the much of the country.
A deep low was expected to bring bursts of heavy rain to the west of the South Island tonight before moving north tomorrow, forecaster Mark Pascoe said.
Up to 150mm of rain was predicted for Westland, Fiordland and Mt Taranaki, he said.
The northwest of the South Island and North Island high country from the Tararua Ranges to Waikato could expect up to 100mm of rain.
Mr Pascoe said people in these areas should look out for rapidly rising rivers.
Severe gales were also predicted for eastern areas from Marlborough to Hawke's Bay, including Wellington.
"These winds have the potential to bring down tree and powerlines, and make driving difficult, especially for motorcycles and high sided vehicles," he said.
