According to reports, several weather alerts have been issued for regions across the country as two active fronts approach New Zealand. As per MetService, the first front would be preceded by heavy rainfall and gale north-westerlies, and was expected to move northwards over the South Island on Thursday and Friday (08-09 May).

Another active front, preceded by gale north-easterlies, was expected to move over the upper North Island on Friday (09 May).

• For the South Island, orange rain warnings were issued for Fiordland (about and north of Doubtful Sound), the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers, the headwaters of the South Canterbury lakes and rivers, and the ranges of the Westland District.
• The ranges of the Westland District were expected to get between 140 to 180 mm of rainfall, especially around and south of the glaciers. That warning is in place till 0600 hours on Friday (09 May).
• The other regions were expected to get between up to 150mm of rainfall.
• Heading into Friday (09 May), orange rain warnings in the North Island were issued for Northland, Bay of Plenty (about and east of Whakatāne and Gisborne/Tairāwhiti north of Ruatoria), Tongariro National Park and Mount Taranaki/Taranaki Mounga.
• Mount Taranaki/Taranaki Mounga was expected to experience the most rainfall, with 150 to 250 mm predicted. The region’s warning is till 1500 hours on Friday (09 May).
• Most of the warnings in the North Island would be in place between Friday morning and evening (09 May).
• Northland was also under a severe thunderstorm watch till 1700 hours on Friday (09 May). MetService stated that there was a moderate risk of downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h.
• Further details on weather warnings can be accessed via https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home