By tomorrow the ridge would have spread over the upper North Island, bringing a fine end to the week.
On Saturday a weak front was forecast to make landfall in the lower South Island, before a stronger front arrived overnight.
Rainfall was forecast for the South Island's West Coast on Sunday, spreading up the North Island's west coast by the afternoon.
Temperatures would drop on Saturday morning before the fronts move across the country.
Tonight at 10.07pm is the Southern Hemisphere winter solstice, marking the day with the shortest period of daylight and longest night of the year, when the sun's daily maximum elevation in the sky is at its lowest.
Given the length of New Zealand in terms of longitude, there is more than an hour difference in how much daylight different areas will experience.
Invercargill will see just 8.35:01 hours, and Kerikeri will get 9.46:43.
Christchurch will have 8.56:23 hours, Wellington 9.11:24 and Auckland 9.37:55.
Today's weather
Whangārei
Rain, chance heavy at first, easing evening and clearing at night. Strong easterly, gale in exposed places, gradually easing. 14C high, 7C overnight.
Auckland
Some morning rain, then becoming fine this afternoon. Strong southeast gale in exposed places north of Whangaparaoa until afternoon. 14C high, 6C overnight.
Hamilton
Fine with some high cloud. Gusty southeasterlies gradually easing. 14C high, 2C overnight.
Tauranga
Fine with some high cloud. Gusty southeasterlies, easing from afternoon. 14C high, 5C overnight.
New Plymouth Fine, morning high cloud. Gusty southeasterly, easing evening. 13C high, 4C overnight.
Napier Mostly cloudy with showers. Southerly breezes. 12C high, 5C overnight.
Wellington Partly cloudy. A few showers in the south and east, clearing this evening. Southeast dying out at night. 10C high, 5C overnight.
Nelson Fine with possible frosts. Southerly dying out. 12C high, 0C overnight.
Christchurch Cloudy with a chance morning shower, but afternoon fine spells. Light winds. 9C high, -2°C overnight.
Dunedin Areas of morning fog, and chance morning shower, otherwise fine with frosts. Light winds. 9C high, 2C overnight.
