A very large area of low pressure is forming in the Southern Ocean and next week it will churn south of NZ but push severe weather at times into New Zealand.

Heavy rain on the West Coast, strong to gale force nor’westers move up the South Island and lower North Island and some rain into northern NZ too (not a huge amount, but some).

Eastern areas remain hottest and driest over the days ahead – and more sub-tropical winds next week too.