A record challenging area of powerful high pressure is crossing NZ for Wednesday and Thursday before sliding off to our south east. Around this high three low pressure zones will form.

The first east of the North Island this week, bringing some showers into the east from Gisborne to Wairarapa. This weekend and into next week two more lows form over the Tasman Sea.

This enormous high keeps most rain away (other than the eastern North Island as it slides off the country to our south).

Next week the rain clouds return – also with milder winds.