We still have the cold southwesterly airflow sitting across the country today, though thankfully it is set to ease up!
The main risks are winds along the east coast – especially right on coastal areas – gusting very strong through the day, and the risk of gales in exposed areas.
You can see this trend in our wind maps, with a very distinct pattern of stronger winds to our east compared to the west coasts of both islands. 

Banks Peninsula is in for a blustery day, as well as the Kaikoura coast – and to a slightly lesser extent the Otago Peninsula.
The Wairarapa coastline is looking at strong winds during the day too.

The other risk issue is rain this morning – all along the western North Island from Taranaki to Auckland in the west.
Heavy showers arrive with hail and possible thunderstorms – then both should ease by mid to late morning.

Auckland is about on the borderline of the weather, so south of the city the risk of storms and hail increases, then further north those risks drop away.

– Aaron Wilkinson & Drew Chappell, WeatherWatch.co.nz

– Maps: Google