Fine Waitangi Day forecast

New Zealand should have mainly fine weather on Waitangi Day, with strong winds and a few showers forecast for the northeast.

"Any wet areas around the country initially should clear away for Waitangi Day," said MetService's Bob McDavitt.

"Cyclone Gene is moving southeastwards out of the tropics and forecast to move past the Kermadec Islands between New Zealand and Tonga on Waitangi Day."

He said the outlook for the weekend was for some rain, especially to central parts of the country.

"For most of us, Wednesday is looking to be a much better day for a picnic than Saturday."

- NZPA