MetService is forecasting that a front across the upper North Island, and the moist easterly flow across the eastern areas, will be easing on Tuesday.

'There is a low confidence of warning amounts of rain in Hawke's Bay, Gisborne and Auckland early Tuesday,” says a MetService spokesperson.

'Also on Tuesday there is moderate confidence of warning amounts of rain in Bay of Plenty about and west of Whakatane, Coromandel Peninsula and parts of Waikato.”

On Wednesday, another active front preceded by strong moist northerlies is expected to approach the South Island from the Tasman Sea.

This front will be moving north across the South Island on Thursday, reaching the lower North Island on Friday and is forecast to bring periods of heavy rain with it.

'For Westland, there is high confidence of warning amounts of rain late Wednesday and on Thursday, then the confidence reduces to low on Friday,” says a MetService spokesperson.

'For Buller, Tasman west of Motueka and the Nelson Lakes there is high confidence of warning amounts of rain late Wednesday and on Thursday, then the confidence reduces to moderate on Friday.

'For the remainder of Tasman and Marlborough there is low confidence of warning amounts of rain on Wednesday, then the confidence increases to moderate on Thursday and Friday. Also on Wednesday, there is low confidence of warning amounts of rain for Canterbury about and north of Ashburton.”

Finally for the lower North Island from Taranaki, Taihape across to Tararua District and southwards, the MetService says there is low confidence of warning amounts of rain on Thursday and Friday as indicated on the chart.

'Please note, there is some uncertainty regarding the timing, position and intensity of the front expected to affect New Zealand from late Wednesday and the area of impact is likely to change.”

People are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecasts and advisories.