Severe weather warnings are in place across much of the South Island on Saturday as strong winds and heavy rain hammer down.
"The unsettled springtime westerlies show no signs of abating this weekend," MetService said on Facebook.
"This strong flow with embedded rain-bands continues to bring immense amounts of rain to the western South Island, as well as very strong winds through central New Zealand."
The heaviest rain is expected in Fiordland, the ranges of Westland south of Otira and the headwaters of Canterbury Lakes and rivers from Arthurs Pass southwards.
Heavy rain warnings have been issued in the southwest of the South Island, and heavy rain watches are in force in the west of the South Island, as well as in parts of the lower North Island.
Strong wind warnings are also in force for the Canterbury High Country, inland Marlborough, Wellington, and for Wairarapa from Featherston southwards.
Newshub.
