It is set to be a good weekend to spend indoors, with rain and strong winds forecast to lash the region until late Monday.
MetService Meteorologist Tom Bell said there was a front moving over the country from west to east, with the worst of it hitting the North Island today.
"It's probably going to be a damp one for most of the North Island," he said.
It was expected to move over Hawke's Bay early tomorrow morning - although its effects would be felt throughout the region today.
Mr Bell said the day would be cloudy with occasional rain developing in the south during the morning.