Heavy rain watches issued for northern NZ, severe gales forecast for central regions

A low pressure system in the Tasman Sea is bringing heavy rain and severe gales to parts of New Zealand this week.

MetService has issued a heavy rain watch for eastern Northland south of Karikari Peninsula from 6am to 4pm Wednesday, with Auckland and Great Barrier Island under watch from 11am to 7pm. Inland Tasman west of Motueka is expected to receive heavy rain from midday Wednesday to midnight.

The forecaster said "a front associated with the low brings brief heavy rain to northern parts of the country with thunderstorms and localised downpours possible". There is a moderate chance the watches could be upgraded to warning level.

Severe gale warnings are forecast for parts of central New Zealand as a front moves up the South Island on Thursday, with strong winds in Wellington from midday Thursday through to Friday morning.