Downpours are forecast in the North Island as a low sweeping over the country brings severe weather on Saturday.
Heavy rain warnings are in place for the Tongariro National Park and Kaimanawa Forest Park, as well as Horowhenua, Kāpiti Coast, and the Tararua Range.
A slew of heavy rain watches are also in place across lower and central parts of the North Island.
MetService warned possible thunderstorms are embedded in the rainbands.
"There is a moderate risk of a few thunderstorms about eastern Northland this afternoon, and about eastern and central areas from eastern Bay of Plenty to South Taranaki, Manawatu and Hawke's Bay in the afternoon and early evening. A low risk of thunderstorms covers all other North Island areas from Horowhenua and Tararua District northwards," it said on its thunderstorm outlook.
"There is also a low risk of afternoon and evening cloud buildups producing one or two thunderstorms about inland parts of Marlborough and Tasman/Nelson.
"Any thunderstorms that occur today with bring localised heavy rain."
After this, a cold southwesterly change will sweep up the South Island on Sunday and reach the North Island on Monday.
"Heavy swell associated with this change will bring large waves to South Island coasts from Sunday, reaching the North Island on Monday," MetService warned.
"Be sure to take extra care near the water over the next couple of days, especially for coastlines exposed to the southerly/southwesterly and also around high tide."
MetService said there is a moderate risk of thunderstorms on Sunday evening for Fiordland and coastal parts of Southland and Clutha, including Stewart Island.
