A heavy rain and gale watch has been put in place for Canterbury on Tuesday.
A heavy rain watch is in place for Canterbury, Westland, North Orago, Buller, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne.
The watches for North Otago and large parts of Canterbury are in place until 4pm and MetService says southeasterly rain could be heavy at times and rainfall accumulation may approach warning criteria.
Downpours could cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly and surface flooding.
Gale warnings are in place around most of the country.
Wind of about 35 knots, gusting to 50 knots, is expected in some areas by late afternoon and early evening.
"A low over the Tasman Sea moves across central New Zealand on Tuesday, bringing rain to many areas," MetService says.
"An associated front brings a period of heavy northerly rain to exposed regions from Buller to East Cape.
Mt Taranaki, Nelson and Northern Marlborough are expected to see the worst of the rain, with between 130 and 150mm.
"Meanwhile, as the low approaches and crosses central New Zealand, a period of southeasterly rain is forecast for eastern parts of the South Island."
