Australia is mostly settled as is the South Island of New Zealand – but the top of NZ is about to have more rain and nor’easters, which will turn to inland thunderstorms next week.

Severe weather risks for the long weekend are there for the upper North Island – but heavy rain and strong winds may be isolated to only a few areas – we will know more details on Wednesday.

The South Island has mostly dry weather but a cold front on Friday will bring some patchy rain and showers to the very south, with another short lived temperature drop.

We break down the forecast until Monday next week.