On Thursday we have a ridge of high pressure moving off the upper South in the morning, and onto the majority of the North Island from afternoon.

Northwesterly winds strengthen over the majority of the South Island from afternoon, especially about inland areas in the east – where gusts to gale are possible at times.
Mainly sunny in the east through the day though, with developing high cloud, and cloudier conditions out west.

The entire North Island sees a mix of sunny areas and some cloud, with East to Nor’East winds for most.
From western Waikato down through to Kapiti, westerly winds spring up in the afternoon.

– Aaron Wilkinson & Drew Chappell, WeatherWatch.co.nz