A mixed weather bag - from dry, sunny patches to northwesterly winds and showers - for the Rotorua region should not put off visitors enjoying the city during the long weekend holiday.
Rotorua will play host at Labour Weekend to a range of visiting groups and cultures, as well as holidaymakers arriving to relax after winter.
Around 5000 Filipinos living in New Zealand will converge on the city for the annual Pistang Pilipino cultural and sporting festival, while choral singers will perform at various venues.
Outdoor markets, a Halloween ball and zombie walk, a beerfest and excellent trout fishing are all on offer to tempt visitors.
The MetService had forecast fine spells today and Monday, with showers and northwesterly winds arriving tomorrow to spoil a favourable weather trifecta for the entire weekend.
Warm daytime temperatures will be the norm, with highs of 15C-18C and overnight lows of 3C-6C.
Meteorologist Daniel Corbett said there would be wet areas over the weekend but the weather would quieten down after an active spring trough flowed north and east today.
Eastern areas were likely to be drier and milder, but a trough moving over the country late tomorrow and Sunday would put most places at risk of some wet weather, he said.
Temperatures will be mild in eastern areas but cooler in the far south, possibly with late season snow to low levels.
Chamber of commerce chief executive Roger Gordon said Labour Weekend was important for the region's tourism and retailers.
"Visitors are always wonderfully welcomed in Rotorua and it is such a good place to take a break after the winter. People come here to get ready for the summer, to enjoy themselves and have fun."
City Focus group spokesman Mike Steiner said the city had already begun to fill with visitors but there was a "reasonable" amount of accommodation still available.
The majority of shops would be open for the three days, he said.
"Traditionally long holiday weekends bring more people into the city and we are anticipating it will be a good weekend weather wise and for retailing."
"Retailing is not easy for anyone, it is always challenging, but there is a reasonable degree of confidence out there and the city is looking really good.
"Businesses are being innovative and putting their best foot forward."
Owner Fraser Newman of McLeod's Books said he was hopeful for a busy weekend.
"I'm optimistic. We have been through worse times but I believe the city is on an upward swing heading towards Christmas."
Accommodation was steadily filling for the weekend, operators said.
Rotorua Top 10 Holiday Park operations manager Brad Syben said the facility was 60 per cent booked yesterday. "All our rooms are fully booked but we still have a number of campervan sites available."