We have a cooler change for some places on Saturday, like Canterbury, but by Sunday high pressure smothers the country and by Monday hotter, more humid northerlies will spread across both islands making for warmer than average weather.

Around Tuesday and Wednesday high pressure finally departs New Zealand for a short time – but hopefully enough time to get a cold front into the country and some afternoon downpours.

Wednesday has the better chance of downpours and areas of rain around the North Island – we’ll be locking this in by Monday with more detail.