Some North Island regions will get up to 13 hours of rain across the day.

While the north has humidity and rain, the south of NZ will see snowfall.

A heavy rain watch is in place from 6am to 4pm on Wednesday.

Some North Island regions will get up to 13 hours of rain across the day.

It has been a wet start to the day for much of the upper North Island, with heavy rain pelting Auckland, Northland and Great Barrier.

Snow may fall to low levels across parts of the South Island overnight.

Strong winds are battering the North and Upper South Islands, cancelling ferrys and flights, closing highways, and cutting power to homes.

Heavy rain, damaging winds and snow are forecast across New Zealand.