Waitangi weekend: Sunny North Island holiday weather, rain in South Island

North Island holidaymakers are set to see sunny, warm conditions, while rain is forecast for much of the South Island.

MetService forecaster Alannah Burrows told the Herald today’s weather would be a tale of two islands.

“The North Island has a ridge of high pressure stretched across it so it should be pretty fine,” she said.

“It’s damper and wetter for the South Island, especially for the West Coast, but a nice summer’s day for the North Island.”

Waitangi Day Outlook ☀️🌤️

A ridge persists over the North Island for Waitangi Day, keeping fine spells in the forecast. There may, however, be some cloudy patches and the odd morning shower for western areas 🌥️🌦️, but it’ll clear to a fine and sunny afternoon ☀️😎

The story… pic.twitter.com/3Z9UwIvg0x

— MetService NZ (@MetService) February 5, 2026

Temperatures are forecast to be average for this time of year for the North Island.

According to MetService, Auckland will reach a high of 23C today, while Hamilton will be 24C.

Waitangi is forecast to reach a high of 25C.

Napier will reach a high of 26C while Tauranga is forecast to reach 27C.

Seth is here with the forecast for your Waitangi Day weekend, and it's good news for most of Aotearoa 😎 pic.twitter.com/nA63FSKLvP

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) February 5, 2026

However, the South Island is forecast to experience a different weather spell.

“We have a band of cloud and rain pushing its way northwards through today,” Burrows said.

“So it’s going to bring some rain and heavy falls on to the West Coast and scattered showers for the southeast of the South Island.”

There is some good news, with wet weather set to spare the northeast of the South Island.

“Marlborough, north of Christchurch, should be quite nice,” Burrows said.

Nelson will reach 26C, Christchurch 25C, and Dunedin 18C.

Temperatures are forecast to push even higher tomorrow, with Auckland reaching 25C, Gisborne 27C, and Napier 30C.

Burrows said places in the east of the South Island could also see some sunny days.

“It will be a nice long weekend for a lot of people.”

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