The eastern part of the South Island today may still be in the firing line but in the hours from midnight till 6am, Christchurch had received just 12mm which is more of a gentle soaking rain than anything too significant.

Northerners have also seen some liquid sunshine in the last 24 hours but most of that has cleared away overnight and this morning with Thursday starting with mild temperatures for many.   Tauranga and Whakatane have started the morning on 16 degrees with a number of northern centres closely following behind and that follows highs yesterday in the low 20’s for those towards the tip of the country however down south, murky conditions about eastern areas kept it very cool but it was Westland and Fiordlands chance to shine with the mercury nudging the low 20’s