A front slowly moves off the upper South Island then pushes onto the lower North Island during today, a ridge of high pressure starts to push onto the South Island later in the day.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato & Bay Of Plenty
Thickening cloud, late evening rain or showers. North to northwesterly winds change southerly overnight.
Highs: 24-25

Western North Island (including Central North Island)
Mostly cloudy with the odd shower at times about Taranaki and Kapiti, elsewhere sees some high cloud. Rain moves in during the afternoon for most (heavy about Taranaki) then eases later in the evening. Breezy north to northwesterly winds.
Highs: 19-24

Eastern North Island
Sunny areas and thickening high cloud, rain moves into Wairarapa during the afternoon, reaching further north overnight however by that stage precipitation eases to showers. North to northwesterly winds.
Highs: 23

Wellington
Rain develops late morning then clears late afternoon, some sun possible later in the day. Strong north to northwesterly winds may gust to gale at times then easing later in the day.
High: 19-22

Marlborough & Nelson
Rain develops in the morning, clearing around midday then some sun is possible later in the day. Gusty north to northwest winds.
Highs: 22-25

Canterbury
Morning showers clear, afternoon sunny spells as northwest winds change Southerly.
Highs: 24

West Coast
Rain, heavy falls north of about Greymouth eases from afternoon, rain eases by evening to showers for all then clearing later on. West to southwest winds.
Highs: 20-21

Southland & Otago
Showers, easing from afternoon and some sun may break through at times. Westerlies, gusty about the coast.
Highs: 19-26

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz