High pressure covers much of New Zealand but a cold front is moving up the South Island for Thursday bringing some rain.

An approaching cold front from the Tasman Sea will encounter a mild, humid air mass over the South Island beginning Wednesday Night and continuing through Thursday. Moderate to heavy rainfall (possibly exceeding 60 mm) will be possible across western sections of the South Island, especially along west-facing mountain slopes.

Behind this front, a westerly flow will continue to bring scattered, lighter showers to western sections of the South Island and southwest sections of the North Island through early Friday.

Generally dry weather is expected for Auckland and Christchurch to close out the week; a few showers along with gusty winds can be expected at Wellington through Friday.

Temperatures for much of New Zealand will be at or above average into the start of the weekend.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz