Localised heavy rain is still affecting some parts of NZ today, seperate to the tropical cyclone which is tracking directly towards New Zealand this coming weekend. Today’s downpours are now moving into Bay of Plenty and East Cape – but there are downpours/showers around other parts of NZ too. Track on rain radar now for more the latest.

Thursday and Friday see rainfall easing and drier, calmer, weather moving in thanks to high pressure, which lingers into Saturday for a number of regions too – except the upper North Island where easterly quarter winds will ramp up ahead of Cyclone Vaianu.

By Sunday and Monday the cyclone will likely track down the North Island, accelerating rapidly as it moves southwards to lie east of Dunedin by Monday, conditions easing going into Tuesday.

We have the latest tracking, rainfall and wind forecasts for the cyclone – with our next update coming on Thursday morning before noon. This weekend we will also have daily updates on Cyclone Vaianu.