The South Island and parts of the North Island are in for strong gusts today, which could be damaging.

MetService says a cold front is moving north across the South Island this morning.

Forecaster Karl Loots said there will be severe northwest gales in most of the South Island, along with the Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa and Wellington.

"We do expect these winds to be damaging particularly inland parts of Canterbury, also into Marlborough, Southland and Otago."

The Canterbury region in particular could have gusts of up to 160 kilometres an hour.

Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management group (CDEM) is warning people in Canterbury to stay indoors

Duty officer James Thompson said if winds do reach this speed conditions will be hazardous.

"We'll see trees being pulled over, we'll potentially see roofing iron being pulled off people's houses anything that's loose in people's backyards will get blown around."