While most of New Zealand has enjoyed a couple of days of fine weather, thanks to a ridge of high pressure sitting over the country, this is not set to last.

A low pressure system is approaching from the Tasman Sea, bringing rain to most places this weekend.

Rain is expected for the next five days after today. Image: MetService.

"Rain will arrive over South Island areas today, with heavy falls expected from the afternoon," says MetService meteorologist Claire Flynn.

The situation doesn't look much better in the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel, with rain forecast for the next five days.

Everything will stay fine today, but the soggy weather will move in overnight ready to rain down on the regions tomorrow.

Daily highs will stay around the mid-teens, while overnight lows will sit around nine degrees. Early next week, yet another low forms northwest of New Zealand, bringing the chance of heavy rain to the upper North Island as we move into spring. "While most places can expect some rain from this second low, the upper North Island will be most affected,” says Claire.

'However, there is still some uncertainty in the weather models as to the exact position of this low and associated heavy rain.

'This will have an effect on forecasts for the timing and intensity of weather in these regions; as always, we recommend that people keep up to date with our latest forecasts.”