Several wind and rain warnings have this afternoon be issued by the government forecaster MetService.

Winds gusting up to 130km/h are predicted for exposed parts of Canterbury and Otago with gales expected in Dunedin’s hilltop suburbs.

The worst winds in Canterbury are expected to be on the plains and near the foot hills between 6am and 6pm Friday.

Heavy rain warnings cover most of the western side of the South Island.

All current warnings can be found here.