Most of New Zealand is in for a cracker of a Boxing Day as a large high moves across the country, MetService says.
It's been a blustery old start to Christmas in much of the Land of the Long White Cloud, but it's set to improve as the festivities progress.
MetService duty forecaster Karl Loots said Wellington was arguably the best place to be today, with a wind-less 21C in the capital.
The hottest place in the country was Hastings, where it was a pleasant 23C and set to increase. Other hotspots around the country include Napier with 22C, Lower Hutt, Tauranga and Blenheim with 21C, and Christchurch with 20C. It was expected to get a bit warmer in all these locations later today.
Auckland was an indifferent 18C with scattered cloud and a few isolated showers in the morning, although these were expected to dissipate later in the day.
"At the moment there are some cloudy conditions over the North Island stretching from Auckland through to the Manawatu. That's going to be breaking up this afternoon," Mr Loots said.
"For the South Island it's mostly fine, with the exception of down south where it's quite cloudy and they've got a chance of a shower or two."
Mr Loots said a large high coming in from the Tasman was now making landfall in New Zealand and should result in a rip-roaring December 26.
"We have a ridge of high pressure moving across the country leading to increasing fine and warm weather with light winds. Particularly tomorrow it's going to be a really nice day for most people," he said.
Auckland was expected to reach 25C and Wellington and Christchurch 23C.
The fine weather was expected to last until at least Monday when a front was moving in.
Looking forward to New Year's Day the forecast was uncertain, but the trend indicated it would be chillier and windier come 2016. This could easily change between now and then, Mr Loots said.
Meanwhile, Water Safety New Zealand is reminding people to take care in the water over the Christmas period.
The organisation said that seven people would lose their lives to drowning between Christmas Eve and January 5, if the average drowning toll for the past five years was anything to go by.
There have been 93 drowning deaths already this year -- three more than last year's total.
"We're calling for all New Zealanders to stop and think about water safety this Christmas," chief executive Matt Claridge said.
"If we can just get everyone to do that, then I'll be announcing the first ever zero drowning toll on record for this period come 5 January."
Men made up about 80 per cent of the total drowning toll, with a particular over-representation in boating incidents.
Coastguard New Zealand chief executive Patrick Holmes said that wearing a lifejacket, carrying communications, skipper responsibility, checking the weather and not drinking alcohol were a boatie's best protection when the unexpected happens.
"The skipper is responsible for the safety of everyone onboard and for the safe operation of the boat, so knowing the limitations of your vessel and experience could save lives," he said.
Two pre-schoolers have drowned this year, and Claridge said this should not be happening..
"The only way to keep children under five safe is to keep them within arm's reach and line of sight at all times. It's that simple. No children under five should be drowning in this country.
"We need all New Zealanders to make water safety a priority this Christmas season and stop and think before they go near the water."