Another rainmaker is bearing down on New Zealand, set to brush away calm, sunny weather, forecasters say.
Niwa Weather has predicted a “potent front” will bring rain to the South Island on Monday, on the back of several days of settled weather.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane told the Herald a large high-pressure system was currently sitting across the country.
“It means generally settled weather for most places, but there will still be some areas of showers here and there,” she said.
The next several days are set to feature generally settled weather around the country with areas of high pressure moving overhead, although Thursday will have some rain affecting the West Coast.
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) January 27, 2026
A more potent front may bring rain to the South Island on Monday. pic.twitter.com/RLzu2AVFQu
Tomorrow would see similar conditions, with the odd shower in places like the Bay of Plenty and the Coromandel Peninsula.
However, by Sunday, winds are forecast to pick up across the South Island from the northwest.
“By the end of the day, we have our next weather system coming on to the South Island,” Makgabutlane said.
“That will be one of the main players coming into next week, especially on Monday.
“That weather system slowly moves up the South Island and reaches the North Island.
🌤️☀️ More settled weather is expected to continue as we end the week, with temperatures in the mid to high 20s across the North Island.
— MetService NZ (@MetService) January 29, 2026
Hamilton is forecast to reach a high of 27°C tomorrow afternoon, while Auckland, Whangarei, and Tauranga will be around 25°C. 🌡️
❄️ Cooler… pic.twitter.com/vrp8XEXpFG
“It brings rain, and plenty of westerly winds, and those winds turn southwesterly behind the front.”
According to MetService’s severe weather forecast, the West Coast and elevated parts of the South Island are likely to see the most rain.
The lower and eastern South Island, and the lower North Island, are forecast to see the strongest winds.
Makgabutlane said showers from the weather system were forecast to move from the South Island on to the North Island overnight on Monday and early Tuesday.
“People who are hoping for a nice, warm, sunny summer might be a little bit disappointed.”
She said New Zealand shouldn’t expect the same level of rainfall as last week.
“However, for those areas quite badly impacted by last week’s event, where things are quite unsettled, especially the ground which is quite sodden and saturated, it probably doesn’t take much of what has already fallen for any potential for impact.
“Given the way things are at the moment, it’s still something to be aware of.”
Temperatures are forecast to be in the high 20s today, with Hamilton expected to reach 27C this afternoon, while Auckland, Whangarei, and Tauranga will be around 25C.
Meanwhile, temperatures are set to be cooler across much of the South Island, with Invercargill at 16C, Timaru at 17C, and Christchurch reaching 19C.
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