An anticyclone in the Tasman Sea directs a southwesterly airflow over New Zealand on Thursday, a weakening front slowly moves northwards over the South Island during the day.

Mostly sunny for most of the western North Island on Thursday, some evening cloud out west. Morning showers about Gisborne then some afternoon sun, mostly sunny elsewhere along the east coast.

A period of rain or showers moves onto the lower South Island in the morning, easing from afternoon and some sun breaking through. Canterbury is mostly sunny, some late afternoon or evening cloud. A mainly sunny day for Nelson and Marlborough.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz