The lower North Island was expected to be lashed with rain again on Saturday evening.
The MetService issued heavy rain warnings for the hills and ranges of Wairarapa, Manawatu, Taranaki, Wanganui, Taihape and Wellington.
Severe southerly gales were expected to continue to batter Wellington, Kaikoura, and Marlborough, reaching up to 110kph on exposed hill tops.
The MetService said the winds should ease once a very deep low near southern Hawke's Bay moved away overnight.
Heavy rain warnings for the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty have been lifted but a snow warning remains in place for Porters Pass in the South Island.
