Mixed weekend weather on the way for New Zealand

Pack a brolly and a raincoat with your jandals this weekend as mixed weather is on its way for much of New Zealand.

After a week of sunshine, heavy showers returned today for large parts of the North Island but things should start brightening up again by Monday.

However, strong winds are expected for Wellington and Wairarapa over the next few days, with severe weather warnings in place for parts of the South Island, MetService meteorologist Hannah Moes said.

People in these areas are advised to look out for rapidly rising streams and rivers, slips and surface flooding.

"Several fronts are moving across the country in a westerly flow over the weekend, bringing changeable conditions with them," Moes said.

"There will be heavy rain in the west of the South Island and also strong winds in the south east of the North Island, including the Wellington region."

In Auckland, Northland and the Bay of Plenty, tomorrow (Saturday) it is expected to be mostly fine with a few showers around in the late afternoon and evening.

Weekend temperatures are expected to be in the low 20s for Auckland and Tauranga, reaching a high of 24 in Whangarei and parts of Northland.

"On Sunday it is expected to be much the same story in Auckland, Northland and the Bay of Plenty, with a few showers interspersed with some settled weather," Moes said.

"The west coast of the North Island is a bit more exposed to westerly flows so it is liable to be showery there at the weekend."

However, things will settle down a bit by Monday; the winds will ease for the North Island and it should be a bit more pleasant going into next week, she added.