Metservice has issued a Severe Weather Watch for parts of the country, including the Bay of Plenty west of Te Puke. Westerly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

The weather watch has been put in place for 12 hours from 3pm, Saturday, May 21 to 3am Sunday, May 22.

This comes as strong and gusty winds continue to affect New Zealand today (Friday) and into the weekend, with strong wind watches in force for parts of the country.

People are being advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts in case any changes are made or more areas are added.

Image: MetService.

Strong Wind Watch Locations:

Area: Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty west of Te Puke, Taupo, and Taihape about and east of Waiouru

Period: 12hrs from 3pm Sat, 21 May - 3am Sun, 22 May

Forecast: Westerly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Tararua District, Hawke's Bay and Gisborne

Period: 5hrs from 9am - 2pm Fri, 20 May

Forecast: West to northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places, especially about the ranges. Please note, another period of severe gale westerlies is possible on Saturday, and a Watch for this possibility may be issued this (Friday) evening.

Area: Tasman north of about Belgrove

Period: 13hrs from 11am Sat, 21 May - midnight Sat, 21 May

Forecast: West to southwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Wairarapa excluding the Tararua District

Period: 4hrs from 9am - 1pm Fri, 20 May

Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Dunedin and North Otago

Period: 21hrs from 6am Sat, 21 May - 3am Sun, 22 May

Forecast: Southwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

Area: Coastal Southland including Stewart Island, and Clutha

Period: 15hrs from 3am - 6pm Sat, 21 May

Forecast: Southwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.

For more information on the active weather warnings in New Zealand, visit https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home.

For the latest Tauranga weather forecast, visit https://www.metservice.com/towns-cities/locations/tauranga.