A ridge of high pressure lies over New Zealand on Thursday extending out from a large high in the Tasman Sea.

Mostly sunny for the upper North Island with light southerlies tending southwest in the afternoon. Afternoon northerlies for the Bay Of Plenty. A mainly sunny day for the lower western North Island, there may even be a light frost for the Central North Island first thing. Light winds then afternoon sea breezes for coastal areas.

Any morning cloud clears about the Wairarapa then mainly sunny. Hawkes Bay sees morning showers clear then sunny areas break through from afternoon, Gisborne sees showers clear around midday however remaining fairly cloudy till evening. Winds from the south then tending easterly in the afternoon. Cloud thickens up for the Wairarapa in the evening bringing the chance of a light shower.

Becoming mostly sunny in the morning for Wellington with light north to northwesterly winds developing.

Sunny about the top of the South Island, Nelson has some morning cloud. Light winds tending onshore in the afternoon. Sunny with light winds in Canterbury tending east to northeast in the afternoon, warm inland during the afternoon.

Morning cloud for the West Coast, perhaps even a light shower then breaking to a mainly sunny afternoon, light winds tend westerly in the afternoon. Mainly sunny weather for Southland and Otago with light winds, tending onshore in the afternoon. Warm afternoon temperatures for inland areas.