Heavy rain is set to pummel Auckland late this week, bringing a bit of relief to a city grappling with a severe water crisis.
Metservice has issued several heavy rain watches and warnings for parts of the North Island due to an encroaching wet weather system from the north-west.
"These features should bring a period of rain to much of the island, especially in the north and east," Metservice said.
"A period of strong east to northeast winds is also expected ahead of the fronts."
The Coromandel Peninsula is set to get battered by 100 to 150 mm of rain on Wednesday and Thursday.
They have a heavy rain warning in place and locals being warned of possible surface flooding and slips in the area, and hazardous driving conditions.
There are heavy rain watches in place in the north and east of Northland, western Bay of Plenty, northern Gisborne, and north of Auckland between Wednesday and Friday.
MetService meteorologist Angus Hines says Auckland will get shelter from the Coromandel but the "heaviest accumulation is in the northern suburbs" on Wednesday night.
The city has been dealing with a severe drought which has the council concerned over water supply.
They are considering closing public swimming pools and sports venues to help conserve water.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff has also pleaded with the Environment Select Committee to fast-track Auckland's application to take an extra 200 million litres of water each day from the Waikato River.
Meteorologist Peter Little says: "The forecast of more rain will be well received by many folk in these dry parts of the North Island.
"However, there is the potential for the rain to be heavy and prolonged in some areas, which could lead to flooding."
Meanwhile, a ridge of high pressure remains slow-moving over the South Island, keeping the weather relatively settled there.
"Aside from some cloud and patchy rain or drizzle in eastern regions, the weather should be predominantly fine, with the cool mornings continuing in sheltered places", Little says.
Marlborough should expect showers, Canterbury a drizzle and the weather is dry elsewhere.
The rain throughout New Zealand is expected to ease on Friday and Saturday to scattered rain or showers although the far south remains fine.
