Balmy Labour Weekend on the cards for Hawke’s Bay as A&P Show wraps

As the Hawke’s Bay A&P Show ends the warm weather certainly doesn’t – with temperatures in the high twenties for the rest of Labour Weekend.

The second day of the show came with more dog trials, equestrian, shearing, pony rides, Timber Sports, and FMX Free Style Motocross, plus plenty of entertainment for Friday’s Hawke’s Bay Anniversary.

The wind did not deter the toughest of daredevils as FMX Freestyle Motocross riders took to the sky, jumping from huge heights.

The commentator upped the stakes by telling the crowd the wind direction and strength in the sky could affect the landing, making for a great show.

New to the 2024 Hawke's Bay A&P Show and wowing crowds was the FMX Freestyle Motocross. Photo / Michaela Gower

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Smiles for miles on the dragon wagon ride. Photo / Michaela Gower

MetService meteorologist Clare O’Connor forecast warm weather for holidaymakers into Labour Weekend.

“Hawke’s Bay is the place to be.”

O’Connor said the weather had been dryer than usual for this time of year.

Big crowds gathered on the final day of the 2024 Hawke's Bay A&P Show. Photo / Michaela Gower

A high of 25C is predicted for Saturday with high clouds in the morning and scattered showers in the evening.

Those scattered showers were expected to continue but not be disruptive on Sunday, with a high of 25C.

“Outside of any patchy rain, there should be clear skies.”

Central Hawke's Bay sisters Chelsea Hartstone (left), riding Malakai, and Tyler Hartstone at the A&P Show. Photo / Michaela Gower

O’Connor said locals would be unlikely to escape the heat even overnight, with night temperatures across the region expected to sit around the 17C mark.

Hastings was predicted to be the hottest place on Sunday with a one-degree difference from Napier’s temperature.

Labour Day on Monday is expected to be the coldest day of the long weekend with a high of 22C and dry weather for Napier and Hastings, while Wairoa was expected to reach a high of 21C.

“It is still probably one of the warmest places in the country.”

Despite that warm weather, O’Connor said, the sea temperature measured at Whirinaki would sit around 14C and was unlikely to warm any further.

Michaela Gower joined Hawke’s Bay Today in 2023 and is based in the Hastings newsroom. She covers Dannevirke and Hawke’s Bay news and loves sharing stories about farming and rural communities.