WeatherWatch.co.nz is tracking two storm systems, one right now north of NZ near Vanuatu (Cyclone Rita) and the other is a developing storm in the Southern Ocean for next week.

The storm next week will likely bring gales, heavy rain and big seas around parts of New Zealand as a low at least three times the size of Australia gets stuck south of us.

Meanwhile this week warmer than usual weather continues around NZ with a weak front heading northwards over the next couple days.