After heavy rain and strong winds for much of this week, the country is heading into a much improved, albeit cooler, situation for the weekend, according to Metservice.
A showery westerly flow over New Zealand today and tomorrow will be followed by a clearing ridge moving over the country duringthe weekend.
This will be followed by a return to strong northerlies and rain for the North Island on Monday.
A cold front will sweep across the country tomorrow, bringing a spell of showers to the North Island in the afternoon and evening.
Metservice meteorologist Rob Kerr said with the skies clearing for many on Saturday morning there would a great opportunity to celebrate Matariki.
"Eastern New Zealand, from Dunedin to Gisborne including Wellington and Nelson should have a starry start to Saturday, as well as patches of clear sky over the Bay of Plenty, Auckland and Northland."
The fine weather should hold for most regions over the weekend, with the wind and rain moving over the North Island on Monday.
