The wind at Castlepoint on the Wairarapa coast had reached 89km/h, and about 102km/h in Mount Kaukau in Wellington.
James said a front was moving over the North Island and there had been a few showers in its trail.
It was gradually clearing and was likely to "be a pretty fine day for Auckland" with the exception of a few more showers this afternoon mainly in the West Coast.
"We are in an easing trend now."
In the South Island there was still a lot of shower activity on the West Coast, he said.
On Monday, a ridge of high pressure will move quickly eastwards across the country and bring more settled weather.
Northwest winds are forecast to strengthen again ahead of an approaching front late on Tuesday.
Main centre forecasts today
Whangārei
Some morning rain, then fine. Strong northwesterlies turn southwest during the morning, easing evening. High 20C, low 12C
Auckland
Early morning rain, then becoming fine. Chance shower about the west coast. Strong northwesterlies change southwest morning. High 18C, 13C
Hamilton
Rain clearing around dawn then, fine apart from some evening cloud. Strong westerlies easing evening. High 18C, 11C
Tauranga
Rain clearing in the morning, then fine apart from some evening cloud. Strong southwesterlies easing evening. High 19C, 11C
Wellington
Showers, briefly heavy, clearing before dawn then fine. Gale northwesterly gradually dying out. High 17C, 10C
Christchurch
Fine with northwesterlies, but a brief afternoon southwest change brings a few showers. High 19C, 6C
Dunedin
Showers clearing by evening. Strong westerlies easing afternoon. High 15C, 10C
Source: MetService
