It’s the worst possible news for many holidaymakers across New Zealand – a stormy system is about to move in.

WeatherWatch.co.nz forecasters are predicting strong to gale force winds along most of the eastern seaboard with gusty conditions affecting eastern Coromandel and the Bay of Islands too.

Winds aren’t expected to be damaging north of Central Plateau but may be strong enough to rip weak tents.

Meanwhile heavy rain is also about to set in to much of the West Coast and Southern Alps regions.

MetService has also issued rain warnings and they are suggesting severe gale warnings are likely for many central and eastern areas.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says the stormy weather will set in across Monday and not ease up until Tuesday. 

There is some positive though – rain should fall across all dry parts of the North Island. 

WeatherWatch.co.nz predicts more settled weather will move in to most places before the year is out.