Bursts of strong westerlies are off and on this week with the main surge coming this Saturday - NZ’s election day.

Heavy rain will dominate the West Coast while strong nor’west winds will surge up NZ - peaking this weekend nationwide in eastern and inland areas, says WeatherWatch.co.nz

"Not everyone will have severe gales but the potential for them is there in the east of both islands, especially the South Island at this early stage.

"Meanwhile Australia has a number of cold fronts coming in to the south-eastern corner bringing rain into dry Victoria and the western half of Tasmania."

Watch a detailed forecast through to Sunday across New Zealand and Australia in the video above.