Since the beginning of the week, historic amounts of rain have fallen across much of the country.

Whakatane recorded more than two months' worth of rain over a two day period, the third-highest two-day total since records began in 1974, and major flooding and slips have occurred across the North Island and upper South Island.

The low responsible for all this rain moved into waters east of Canterbury yesterday, and its final act was to bring rain and strong winds to parts of Canterbury and the Kaikoura Coast.

"The Low hung around yesterday, driving rain and strong winds into the east coast of the South Island," says MetService meteorologist Jon Tunster.

"Parts of Banks Peninsula have already had gusts over 130 km/h – and winds are not expected to ease significantly till tonight.”　

The weather completely changes on the weekend as a broad, slow-moving High moves onto the country.

"This High should bring light winds and dry conditions almost everywhere on the weekend," says Tunster.

"Humidity over the upper North Island will also be greatly reduced compared with earlier this week.”