A large high remains slow-moving over New Zealand on Saturday. On Sunday, a front preceded by gale north to northwest flow, is forecast to approach the lower South Island from the southwest. There is low confidence of north to northwest gales becoming severe in exposed parts of southern Fiordland and coastal Southland including the Stewart Island on Sunday.

This front is forecast to move north across the South Island on Monday and North Island on Tuesday bringing a period of heavy rain. There is low confidence of rainfall accumulations reaching warning amounts in Westland and Fiordland on Monday, and about the Tararua Range and Mount Taranaki on Tuesday.

A ridge spreads onto the South Island from the Tasman Sea late Tuesday.