Heavy rain watches have been issued for several regions this weekend as storm clouds loom over the horizon.
Wet weather will arrive for nearly the entire upper half of the North Island/Te Ika a Māui on Saturday, according to MetService - Te Ratonga Tirorangi.
"A low-pressure system spreads rain across the top of the North Island tomorrow," the forecaster said on X.
The following areas have been issued with heavy rain watches and may experience heavy rain, localised downpours, and thunderstorms:
Northland / Tai Tokerau
From 5am to 10pm on Saturday
Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau
From 5am to 10pm on Saturday
Coromandel Peninsula / Waiaua
From 5am to 10pm on Saturday
Waikato
(Includes Waitomo District)
From 5am to 10pm on Saturday
Bay of Plenty / Te Moana a Toi
From 8am to 10pm on Saturday
Rotorua and Taupō
From 8am to 10pm on Saturday.
Rainfall amounts could approach orange heavy rain warning criteria in localised areas, said MetService.
The rain should ease for northern regions on Saturday night, or possibly early Sunday morning - meaning Sunday looks the best for most in the north of Aotearoa.
Meanwhile, the rest of New Zealand is forecast to get a relatively calm weekend, with cloudy periods and the odd shower.
However, on Sunday night, another low-pressure system moves across the lower South Island/Te Waipounamu, bringing showers and rain to some in the bottom half of the island.
