On Tuesday, a low is expected to approach New Zealand from the north Tasman Sea, says a MetService spokesperson.

'It is likely to move southeast across the North Island on Wednesday. This active system is accompanied by strong, moist northeasterlies, bringing rain and strong winds to many places.”

From Tuesday to Wednesday the MetService says there is moderate confidence that rainfall accumulations will meet warning criteria from Northland to Waikato, and across to East Cape.

'Also on Tuesday and Wednesday, northeast winds could rise to gale, and there is low confidence of severe gales from Northland to Gisborne.”

'Late on Wednesday and on Thursday, a ridge of high pressure should bring more settled weather, but on Friday an approaching front is expected to bring rain to the west coast of the South Island, and there is low confidence of significant heavy rain over Fiordland and southern Westland.”