Warmer weather here to stay for Labour Day, but it's not swimming weather yet

Long weekenders rejoice - the sun is set to continue for the majority of the country over Labour Weekend.

Much of New Zealand was bathed in sunshine yesterday.

And MetService forecaster Erik Brenstrum said that perfect spring weather was set to continue in most areas today, with clear skies and warm temperatures forecast.

He said beachgoers should make sure they slip, slop and slap.

"It's the time of year you can get caught off guard," he said.

WeatherWatch analyst Aaron Wilkinson said the forecast for most of the North Island looked "pretty damn good".

"It's pretty much sunny everywhere. The whole of the western side is looking good apart from north of Lake Taupo and the western Bay of Plenty," he said.

Rain in the central North Island and Gisborne would stick for much of today but should "slowly fade" during the evening.

Aucklanders unable to escape the super city for the weekend were in for a mild 19C on Sunday, along with light south-westerly breezes, Wilkison said.

Weather in Canterbury and Otago would be dry today.

Temperatures in Whitianga and Tauranga, two popular destinations for a weekend away, reached 19C yesterday.

Further north in the Bay of Islands the highest reading was 18C.

But Brenstrum warned Kiwis enjoying Labour Weekend in holiday destinations not to be fooled by the warmer temperatures on land.

"It's still probably a bit nippy in the sea."

Dunedin Airport was the hot stop with the mercury rising to 21C.

Auckland reached 17C, while despite fine conditions, highs of 13C and 14C were recorded in Wellington and Christchurch respectively.