Severe thunderstorm watches are in place for much of the North Island today, and "the atmosphere has the right ingredients for small tornadoes too," MetsSrvice said.
The affected areas are Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupō, and Taranaki.
Heavy rain is expected to spread south over the north of the North Island during the afternoon.
"Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain," MetService warned.
"Tornadic wind gusts can cause some structural damage, including trees and power lines, and may make driving hazardous.
"If any tornadoes occur, they will only affect very localised areas. Should severe weather approach or if you feel threatened, take shelter immediately."
In the South Island, a severe thunderstorm watch was in place for Buller and Westland but has since been lifted
There is also an orange heavy rain warning for part of Westland, while Buller, North Otago and Dunedin are under a heavy rain watch into Thursday at the latest.
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