There would be an increasing risk of isolated thunderstorms through the day, with potential for localised downpours of up to 35mm/h.
The system was looking to track mainly to the east, meaning while Auckland would see rain developing and spreading south in the morning, it would be much less severe than the Far North.
Still, given the city's water supply crisis any rain would be welcome, with dams sitting at just 57.5 per cent as of Wednesday, compared to an historical average of 82.8 per cent.
Meanwhile, Aucklanders continue to respond positively to water-saving requests, with the current seven-day rolling average of 392 million litres well below the target of 409 million litres.
Northeasterly winds however, could rise to gale by the evening in Auckland - up to 90km/h in exposed places, and a severe wind watch is in place from 6pm on Wednesday to 9am on Thursday.
Further to the east, the Coromandel and Great Barrier Island are in for a dowsing, with a heavy rain watch in place from Wednesday evening to Thursday morning, with up to 90mm of rain expected in that period.
The system would then continue east over Thursday and Friday, with potential for warning-level amounts of rain about western Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and the ranges of Hawke's Bay.
The bad news is that in its wake would be an unsettled east-to-northeast flow across central and northern New Zealand, with continuing periods of rain for most of the North Island over the weekend.
"Unfortunately the final weekend of the school holidays is looking pretty wet," Ferris said.
It also wasn't good news for northern skifields, as the northern origins of the system meant it would likely be too warm for snow.
