A ridge gradually weakens for the South Island and lower North Island on Thursday while low pressure further north weakens also. Overnight a front pushes in from the west.

Mostly sunny about Northland and Auckland with southwesterly winds. The Waikato and Bay Of Plenty sees cloud build in the afternoon then there may be isolated showers develop, some could turn heavy with thunderstorms then clearing in the evening.

Mostly sunny about the lower western North Island, cloud may be a little more frequent in the morning and for a time in the afternoon (low risk of an afternoon isolated shower for inland areas). Light southeasterlies, tending west to southwest in the afternoon for some coastal areas.

Cloudy about Gisborne and northern Hawkes Bay with showers, easing in the afternoon then clearing evening. Further south along the east coast expect a cloudy start with any early showers clearing then sunny spells increase from afternoon. Southerly winds.

Sunny spells for Wellington, southeasterly winds tend northerly in the evening.

Mostly sunny about Nelson and Marlborough with some high cloud later in the day, light winds tend north to northeasterly in the afternoon. Mostly sunny in Canterbury, high cloud thickens from evening. East to northeasterly winds freshen, especially near the coast.

Mostly sunny along the West Coast with light northerlies, cloud and drizzle about Fiordland from midday spreads northwards in the evening. Rain moves into South Westland overnight with the odd heavy fall. Mostly sunny with increasing high cloud about Southland and Otago, a few late evening spots of rain. Light north to northeasterly winds. Coastal Otago however sees cloudy areas with breezy northeasterlies, cooler temperatures too.