Northwest gales and heavy rain are forecast for a large part of the country over the weekend, including the ranges inland and north of Gisborne. 

MetService on Friday issued a Heavy Rain Watch for the south Waikato region and for the Eastern Bay of Plenty and Gisborne/Tairāwhiti ranges. 

The watch covers from midday Saturday to midday Sunday. 

MetService says there will be periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. 

However, it says there is a minimal chance of the watch being upgraded to a warning. 

MetService also says there is low confidence that a warning will be required for severe northwest to northerly gales on Sunday morning from Wairarapa to Gisborne.