A front / southwest change moves northwards over the South Island during Friday reaching the lower North Island overnight.

A shower or two for the western North Island on Friday, expect plenty of long dry spells also. Sunny and warm along the east coast with highs getting into the low twenties. Rain moves into Wellington overnight.

Heavy rain pushes into North Westland during Friday then easing late afternoon or evening, not easing about Buller till overnight. Early rain eases to showers about Southland and Otago, a dry start about Canterbury then afternoon showers / rain moves in with southerly winds. A few showers spread into Nelson during the afternoon then later in the evening / overnight expect widespread rain for Nelson / Marlborough.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz