Weekend weather: Summer returns

11:32 am on 29 January 2026

RNZ Online

Auckland's skyline, from Devonport. Photo: 123rf

Settled and warm weather is forecast this weekend, with temperatures expected to reach the high-20's for some places.

It comes as a welcome relief for those who enjoy warmer and drier weather after last week's heavy rain.

"It's pretty much settled weather, maybe the lower South Island might see some showers, especially in the southern and western regions on Saturday, otherwise it's mostly dry," MetService meteorologist Samkelo Magwala told RNZ.

Magwala said the east of the North Island is forecast to see the warmest temperatures, with Gisborne, Napier and Hastings expected to reach the high-20's on Thursday.

It comes after the east coast experienced the brunt of the severe weather last week. Tauranga, Whitianga, and Whakatāne all saw their wettest day on record on Wednesday. Tauranga received 274mm of rain, while Whitianga saw 247.6mm, and 114.2mm for Whakatāne.

A ridge of high pressure brings settled weather to much of the country on Saturday and Sunday, with temperatures forecast to be in the mid-20's for most places in the North Island, and slightly cooler for the South Island.

But don't get used to the warmer weather, MetService said a frontal rain band, preceded by a strong northwest flow, is expected to move over the South Island on Monday and on to the North Island later in the day.

"Things are changing on Monday, with another system coming, giving us some rain in most parts of the country," Magwala said.

Magwala said the front was expected to mostly affect western parts of the South Island and bring some showers to the central North Island.

There is low confidence for warning amounts of rain in Fiordland, the ranges of the districts of Westland, Grey and Buller, the west of the Tasman District, the headwaters of the Otago and Canterbury lakes and rivers, and also about the Tararua Range.

Additionally, there is low confidence northwest winds could reach severe gale strength in exposed places of Southland, including Stewart Island, Clutha, western parts of Otago, the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington and Wairarapa.

"The change of weather on Monday might affect the school openings, so people should keep an eye on the MetService website to keep up to date," Magwala said.