The West Coast had received a good dumping of rain and rain warnings for the north-west Nelson ranges and the Tararua Ranges were expected to ease by midday, he said.
"As that front moves northwards for the rest of the North Island through the mid-to-late part of today, it loses a bit of its bark and bite so it's not as mean, not as nasty.
"There's still a band of rain and some strong winds as it moves to the Central Plateau and Auckland.
"And then we clear that away for the weekend, which turns into kind of a blustery start to the weekend, drier for the North Island [on] Saturday."
The West Coast of the South Island should expect further showers and stronger winds, Mr Corbett said.
Meanwhile on Sunday, a trough would be coming up the country, providing a chance of showers and rain for most areas which should clear by Monday, he said.