New Year's forecast: Perfectly fine for North Island, yet dreary heat down South

The Bay of Islands is set to be sunny in the mid-to-high 20s with only a slight chance of afternoon showers. Photo / Alan Gibson

It will be a tale of two islands for Kiwis partying this New Year's eve, with most of the North Island getting the sun, but sporadic showers rolling down south.

Auckland is likely to be mostly sunny and warm with temperatures in the mid-20s through to New Year's Day.

"There's a risk of an afternoon shower but those are far and few between and it will be quite a nice lead up to New Years," MetService meteorologist Tui McInnes said.

"You'd want to bet on nicer conditions, any chance of a shower is small. In the city most people won't see them, and [they're] unlikely on New Year's Eve itself. The fine message is certainly the dominant one we'd like to portray."

East Coast holiday spots should also be fine, with most cloud cover trapped in the west by the ranges.

Crowds at Gisborne's Rhythm & Vines should enjoy high 20s for each day of three-day festival, which begins this afternoon. There is a slight chance of a shower this afternoon.

"Gisborne's looking at some very nice temperatures, very fine, with the chance of some gusty North West winds, but nothing too major," McInnes said.

The Bay of Islands is set to be sunny in the mid-to-high 20s with only a slight chance of afternoon showers.

The Coromandel has a "slightly higher risk" of showers in the next few days, but by New Year's eve it should be fine in the mid-20s.

Gisborne's Rhythm & Vines Festival is set for ideal weather for this New Years.

Taupo is likely to be more overcast than the North Island's east coast, with temperatures in the low 20s and possible showers on January 1.

Wellington will have "quiet nice weather" in the low 20's, with it's characteristic winds "set to die off as we do into New Year's".

The South Island forecast is not so cheery, with "winds screaming around the central high country".

Queenstown should expect rain in the coming days, yet temperatures in the mid-20's.

"Down south it's a little bit of a different story," McInnes said.

"Queenstown unfortunately we're looking at cloudier weather, and a few showers on New Year's Eve, and into New Year's Day. It's one of those greyer, less favourable days."

Christchurch is looking more optimistic because it's further east, with the odd light shower and temperatures in the high 20's - except New Year's eve which is set for 23 degrees.