It's going to be a wet and windy start to the week for many parts of the south and lower North Islands, with thunderstorms and gale force winds expected in parts.
A severe weather warning is in place as the risk of thunderstorms hover over Fiordland and the Westland ranges.
Heavy rain of about 120mm to 180mm, in 12 to 18 hours, is expected to start falling this morning around northern Fiordland and the Westland ranges.
MetService meteorologist Derek Holland said despite the wet weather temperatures remained rather warm for this time of year.
"The temperature is still quite warm, we don't expect it to go to freezing ... there won't be any snow."