While New Zealand is expected to have a mainly settled Waitangi weekend, next week the weather takes a turn for the worse - and forecasters warn it will be "one to watch".
"Waitangi Day in the Far North will be warm, with temperatures reaching the mid-20s today although temperatures for the east of the North Island will warm up tomorrow as the southerlies there fade overnight tonight," MetService explains.
"Monday is looking hot in the east of the South Island, with 28C expected in Blenheim, 29C in Christchurch and 30 for Ashburton. Tokoroa, Taupo and Auckland aren't looking too shabby either on Monday as they rise to 25C.
"On Tuesday, many North Island locations grab the hot spots, with Masterton, Palmerston North, Whanganui, Napier and Hamilton all rising to 27C and the top of the temperature table taken by Hastings and Gisborne with 28C."
But New Zealand is set for a drenching during the middle of next week as a front scoops up tropical moisture, bringing widespread rain - especially to western parts.
"After all the settled weather we've had recently, this will be one to watch", explains MetService meteorologist Tom Adams.
"There is a good feed of moisture from the tropics associated with the remains of ex-Tropical Cyclone Lucas. This interacts with a trough moving in from the west, and we are likely to see a deep low-pressure system develop.
"Wednesday in particular could see widespread rain with some heavy falls, but if the high persists to the east or south the low could hang around right until the end of the week. There is a lot of uncertainty in the models right now, so this is one we will be watching closely."
