Kiwis in the North Island will need to keep their hat and sunblock handy on Sunday with warm and dry weather on the cards.
But in a tale of two islands, people in the South Island will need to be prepared for gale-force winds and heavy rain.
Most places in the North Island will be basking in sunshine on Sunday with temperatures in the mid-to-low twenties, with just the odd shower for Northland, Auckland and Coromandel.
The top and east of the South Island should remain fine on Sunday but the bad weather will kick in for the lower part of the Island.
But while some parts of the South Island will see wild weather, temperatures are still expected to be warm.
The pick of the bunch will be Timaru and Ashburton, who'll get a late taste of summer with northeasterlies sending the temperatures soaring to an expected high of 28 degrees.
Not far behind is Alexandra, which is expected to reach 27C, while many places on the east coast of the South Island should reach 26C.
But an "active front" preceded by a "strong, moist northwest flow" is expected to move over the lower South Island on Sunday and early Monday morning bringing wild weather.
It has seen MetService issue weather watches and warnings for large parts of the South Island and one part of the North Island.
An orange heavy rain warning has been issued for Fiordland from 8pm on Sunday until 8am on Monday with up to 110mm of rain expected at peak rates of 30mm/h.
"Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous," MetService warned.
Wind is also going to be an issue for the lower South Island, with an orange warning in place for Clutha, Southland and Stewart Island.
The warning is in place from 4pm on Sunday until 2am on Monday, with MetService saying severe gale northwest could gust up to 120km/h in exposed places.
MetService has also issued a strong wind watch for Wairarapa, Canterbury High Country, Otago and Fiordland from Sunday afternoon until Monday.
MetService short forecast for Sunday
Northland, Auckland and Coromandel
Partly cloudy with the chance of a shower at first this morning, then becoming fine.
Waikato to Kapiti, including Bay of Plenty and the central high country
Fine
Gisborne to Wairarapa and Wellington, also Nelson, Marlborough and Canterbury
Fine, some high cloud.
Buller and Westland
Fine spells, with the chance of a shower.
Otago and Southland
Mainly fine, but scattered rain developing this evening with northwest gales in exposed places.
Fiordland
Cloud increasing. Patchy drizzle turning to rain this evening, with heavy falls.
Chatham Islands
Mostly fine, with a few showers clearing this morning
