Most places can expect a reprieve from the wild weather after the South Island and parts of the North Island were lashed by heavy rain.
But it's not good news for all of New Zealand, with the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne expected to get drenched on Sunday and Monday.
A heavy rain warning remains in place for Gisborne from 10am Sunday until 3pm Monday and Bay of Plenty east of Whakatane until 2pm Monday.
MetService said Gisborne and north of Tolaga Bay will bear the brunt of the bad weather, with 220-320mm of rain expected.
The forecasting agency said Bay of Plenty should expect 120mm of rain, especially in the ranges.
"Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous," MetService said about the regions with a heavy rain warning.
MetService meteorologist Ngaire Wotherspoon told Newshub a front is expected to bring heavy rain for the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne.
"We haven't seen the last of the rain unfortunately, the front that's passing through this evening develops a low centre along the front, which means the rain is going to be wrapping back around, but hopefully not with the same intensity it had last night... [but] it does look like a reprieve from the severe weather," she said.
Bay of Plenty Civil Defence warned residents to prepare for the wild weather on Sunday and Monday.
“We are well practiced with these weather events in the Bay, and as we know it’s always important to be prepared," Civil Defence said on Facebook.
“Be prepared for any power outages by making sure you have torches and batteries available, and you’ve got some emergency food supplies in the house."
NIWA warns that the northeastern parts of the North Island could see a month's worth of rain in the coming days.
"Originating near Fiji, it appears that this moisture plume will reach the thresholds needed to qualify as an atmospheric river," NIWA said.
"Rainfall forecasts suggest over a month's worth of rain is possible in the northeastern North Island. The risk for flooding is being monitored."
NIWA said on Sunday that "significant amounts" of rain has already fallen in the Gisborne ranges.
Significant amounts of rain have already fallen in the Gisborne ranges, with more to come," NIWA said.
"Well above normal to extremely high river flows are expected, particularly on Monday, which suggests river flooding is a possibility. Don't attempt to cross flooded roads!"
A road snowfall warning remains in place for some of the South Island's most iconic roads.
The warning is in place for Lewis Pass (SH7), Arthur's Pass (SH73) and Porters Pass (SH73). The warnings are in place until at least 3pm on Sunday.
It comes after a rainband affected the South Island, which propelled Queenstown and Southland into local states of emergency as flooding caused road closures, evacuations and debris flow. Central Otago saw heavy snowfall, which shut state highways and caused Waka Kotahi to urge people in the area to avoid travelling.
The North Island, especially the upper North Island was also in the firing line after getting some heavy rain on Saturday afternoon and evening.
Queenstown recovering well after state of emergency lifted
Queenstown has turned its attention to the recovery after the region was lashed by severe weather over the past few days.
Queenstown lifted its state of emergency at 3pm on Saturday after the region was hit by the wettest 24-hour period in 24 years, according to NIWA, which saw flooding and evacuations. NIWA said 87mm of rain fell between 9am on Thursday and 9am on Friday.
"The skies are clear, the weather forecast is fine and there’s fresh snow on the mountains," Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers said.
“Most importantly, I’d like to acknowledge and thank the people who have been managing our collective response. From the QLDC team to civil defence, emergency responders and contractors it has been a truly collaborative effort with many people working through the day and night to respond to a quickly-evolving situation.
“There is still work to be done but the impacted areas are contained and we’re now able to transition to recovery."
Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) said a major focus of the recovery will be the restoration work at Queenstown Cemetery after around one-third of it had been affected by slips caused by heavy rain. The whole cemetery remains closed to ensure public safety.
All residents who were evacuated due to the wild weather have returned home but some buildings are still yellow-stickered - these are either non-residential properties or not currently occupied, according to QLDC.
All roads in the centre of Queenstown have reopened but State Highway 6 between Makarora and Haast remains closed.
