Wild weather is on the way over the coming week, with heavy rain and thunderstorms to lash parts of the North Island.
MetService said a low-pressure system to the northeast of the North Island is continuing to stay slow-moving on Saturday and drift westwards on Sunday. This weather system brings moist east-to-northeast winds to northern and central New Zealand.
Clearer skies were seen over the western and lower South Island on Saturday, but thick fog is blocking the sun in many inland valleys and lakes.
MetService said Twizel has been covered in fog for several days and its temperature hasn't made it above zero since Wednesday. On Saturday morning, it had a minimum of -5.7C and had 'warmed' to -2.5C by 1pm.
After most of New Zealand saw a relatively fine patch of weather over the last week, WeatherWatch warns that could be about to change for the eastern part of the North Island.
WeatherWatch said this area could see 100-200mm of rain over the coming week for East Cape, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and potentially Marlborough and Wairarapa.
The expected wet weather has seen Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) issue a warning for Marlborough drivers.
NZTA said with a heavy rain watch in place for eastern Marlborough, motorists need to drive with caution, particularly on State Highway 1 from Ward to south of Kaikoura.
"Motorists are asked to drive to the conditions, watch their following distances, and make sure they use their headlights when visibility is poor," NZTA said.
"Drive safe, be seen, be ready for road hazards, allow for extra travel time, and make sure you get to your destination safely."
NZTA said drivers should check road and weather conditions before they travel as bad weather can close state highways at short notice.
Weather warnings and watches
MetService has issued five weather warnings and watches for the east coast of the North Island and part of the South Island.
Heavy rain is on the way for the Coromandel Peninsula, with an orange warning in place until 5pm on Saturday.
MetService said 70mm of rain is expected at peak rates of 20mm/h, with thunderstorms also possible.
Slightly further south, a heavy rain watch is in place for Gisborne and the Bay of Plenty from Edgecumbe westwards until midnight Sunday and Hawke's Bay south of Te Pohue until 9am Monday.
MetService warns rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria and thunderstorms are possible.
A watch is also in place for Eastern Marlborough south of Ward until 4am on Monday.
