Powerful winds are expected to batter many areas of the country today and tomorrow morning

There's a strong wind warning in place for Fiordland, until 1am.

Gales could gust up to 130 kilometres an hour in exposed places.

MetService meteorologist Dan Corrigan says northeasterly winds have already picked up in Fiordland.

He says those winds are also expected to pick up, especially over places like the Canterbury High Country and central parts of the North Island, as well as Auckland tomorrow morning.

MetService has also issued a heavy rain warning for Nelson, northwest of Motueka, and Westland, south of Otira.

Rain watches are in place for other areas.