Weatherwatch.co.nz analyst Richard Green said most of New Zealand could expect warm, settled weather until the end of February - a distant memory from the wet, cold conditions that plagued holidaymakers last summer.
A ridge of high pressure moving over both sides of the country at the end of the week would deliver settled, warm weather for the weekend.
Mr Green said there was the potential for hot temperatures to move up from the South Island towards the end of January.
"In comparing this summer and last, this one is considerably drier, sunnier and a little warmer."
The risk had dropped for Cyclone Freda, which struck the Solomon Islands last month, to head towards New Zealand.
-With APNZ