UPDATED
More rain warnings for the North Island have been issued today, while others have been lifted, as a large Autumn low brushes past New Zealand in the Southern Ocean.

WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters say all of New Zealand will experience rain at some stage this weekend with heaviest rain in western and central regions of the North Island.

A number of slow moving fronts associated with the low is the reason for the warnings with the crown forecaster predicting some big totals as far north as Waikato.

No rain warnings have been issued for Christchurch but a cool southerly change will arrive on Saturday night and last until Monday.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says a few thunderstorms will also be possible in the upper North Island tomorrow but stresses they will be isolated.  More frequent thunderstorms are possible around the West Coast and Southland, closer to the centre of the low predicts WeatherWatch.co.nz.

You can view the free and live Lightning Tracker here

Gales may also affect the lower North Island.

Here are the latest MetService warnings as of 11:20am:

Waikato
Warning Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The central North Island high country from Te Kuiti and Tokoroa to Tongariro National Park, including inland Taranaki and the headwaters of the Whanganui river Periods of heavy rain are expected from Friday afternoon and should continue through much of Saturday. In the 30 hours from midday Friday to 6pm Saturday, 120-170mm of rain is possible in some places.

Taumarunui
Warning Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The central North Island high country from Te Kuiti and Tokoroa to Tongariro National Park, including inland Taranaki and the headwaters of the Whanganui river Periods of heavy rain are expected from Friday afternoon and should continue through much of Saturday. In the 30 hours from midday Friday to 6pm Saturday, 120-170mm of rain is possible in some places.

Taupo
Warning Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The central North Island high country from Te Kuiti and Tokoroa to Tongariro National Park, including inland Taranaki and the headwaters of the Whanganui river Periods of heavy rain are expected from Friday afternoon and should continue through much of Saturday. In the 30 hours from midday Friday to 6pm Saturday, 120-170mm of rain is possible in some places.

Wairarapa
WARNINGS LIFTED

Taranaki
Warning Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The central North Island high country from Te Kuiti and Tokoroa to Tongariro National Park, including inland Taranaki and the headwaters of the Whanganui river Periods of heavy rain are expected from Friday afternoon and should continue through much of Saturday. In the 30 hours from midday Friday to 6pm Saturday, 120-170mm of rain is possible in some places. Heavy Rain Cancellation: Mt TaranakiRain has eased about Mt Taranaki and the warning has been lifted.Some rain is expected to continue falling throughout the day, and further rain is possible from tonight.

Wanganui
Warning Heavy Rain Warning, Areas Affected: The central North Island high country from Te Kuiti and Tokoroa to Tongariro National Park, including inland Taranaki and the headwaters of the Whanganui river Periods of heavy rain are expected from Friday afternoon and should continue through much of Saturday. In the 30 hours from midday Friday to 6pm Saturday, 120-170mm of rain is possible in some places.

Manawatu
WARNINGS LIFTED

Horowhenua
WARNINGS LIFTED

Wellington
WARNINGS LIFTED

Marlborough
WARNINGS LIFTED

Nelson
WARNINGS LIFTED

Nelson Lakes
WARNINGS LIFTED

Buller
WARNINGS LIFTED

Fiordland
WARNINGS LIFTED