A miserable Sunday and Monday beckons for people in central New Zealand as a southerly front brings gale winds and rain.
MetService said wind gusts up to 100kmh were expected on Sunday and would continue through to Monday morning.
"This (severe weather) Watch is for the possibility of southerly winds reaching severe gale in exposed parts of the following areas: coastal Marlborough, Wellington, Kapiti and Wairarapa."
MetService expected the wind and rain to ease later through Monday but for temperatures to remain chilly.
