High pressure today slips away from the North Island while lower air pressure and a cold front attached to it surges up the South Island.

NORTH ISLAND:
Dry at first but rain developing in the west, especially around Taranaki with some isolated heavy falls. Rain may spread further east and north too, but is likely to become patchy and lighter or turn to showers. Mainly dry in the east/ north east. Winds strengthening from the west to north west and will be strong around Cook Strait and Wellington.
Highs: 9 to 17

SOUTH ISLAND:
Heavy rain moving up the West Coast with strong nor’westers, possibly rising to gale around the mountains in the north of the island and around Cook Strait. Later winds turn west to colder south west with rain moving into Southland, turning to snow in the ranges, especially around Fiordland. Mainly dry in Canterbury and Marlborough.
Highs: 5 (Queenstown) to 13 (Blenheim)

– WeatherWatch.co.nz