High pressure slips away from the South Island today as a deep low in the Southern Ocean tracks by pushing up the westerly winds and bringing heavy rain to the West Coast. 

The North Island mostly remains under high pressure although winds pick up in the lower half later in the day.

NORTH ISLAND:
A mix of sun and cloud in the west and mainly sunny in the east, where it will be hotter. Nor’west winds pick up in the south west corner of the island and down to Wellington with clouds thickening too.
Highs: 21 to 31

SOUTH ISLAND:
West to north west winds becoming strong through/around the mountains. Heavy rain in Fiordland drifts up the West Coast slowly. Some patchy rain spills over into Southland and Otago but dry for most other areas.
Highs: 21 to 26

– WeatherWatch.conz