The big rain event that caused flooding in Marlborough, Nelson and Wellington and caused serious slips in the Wellington region is now easing.

This morning the crown forecaster lifted all severe weather warnings for New Zealand.

Some patchy light rain will continue to move across the north eastern section of the North Island but conditions will clear tonight.

In the South Island a weak front is approaching from the south west and may bring in a few afternoon or evening showers to Southland and Otago.

However all eyes are now on the weekend – the start of several days of dry weather for most centres as a large high rolls in from the Tasman Sea.

– Homepage image / John Gaul