Forecasters are warning Kiwis to keep an eye on the weather as heavy rain and possible thunderstorms return later this week.
Heavy rain and strong winds are expected to hit most of the country this weekend, with MetService also predicting a 40 percent chance of "significant heavy rain" in the upper South Island on Friday.
MetService said the recent severe weather is easing after a front moved east of the country.
The weather forecasting agency has lifted all heavy rain warnings and watches, and strong wind watches this morning. The warnings were in Canterbury, West Coast, Tasman, Taranaki and Wellington.
However, later in the week forecasters are expecting heavy rainfall to hit the country, possibly reaching warning levels.
NIWA said a "vigorous sub-tropical jet stream" will drive the development of a strong, slow-moving low towards the end of this week.
It said rain and wind may become more widespread, affecting much of the country, and heavy rain and thunderstorms will be a threat.
"This will coincide with an atmospheric 'stop sign' (blocking high pressure) east of New Zealand, likely leading to widespread rain, some heavy - and it may last a while," NIWA said. "Blocking highs have resulted in high-impact weather across the country in recent years.
"If you have plans from Friday through next weekend, you'll want to keep an eye on the forecast, as it isn't looking particularly pleasant at the moment."
According to MetService's severe weather outlook, a northerly flow develops over New Zealand on Wednesday and a front over the Tasman Sea approaches the South Island at night.
The front moves onto western areas of the country on Thursday, with a low chance rainfall will approach warning criteria in Fiordland and southern Westland, and also about the west of the Tasman District.
On Friday, the front is expected to cross New Zealand, bringing rain and strong north easterlies to many places.
MetService said there is moderate confidence of "significant heavy rain" for the upper South Island, and low confidence over Westland and northern Fiordland, and also the central North Island from Taranaki to East Cape.
There is also low confidence that north-to-northeast gales could become severe over a large part of the North Island and upper South Island.
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