A ridge of high pressure is bringing some calming weather to New Zealand today, says a WeatherWatch spokesperson.

"We still have a few showers in the west and far south, eastern regions are quite good. Overnight and into Sunday is when a cold change moves in."

For Bay of Plenty, Northland, Auckland and Waikato, a mix of sun and cloud can be expected, along with the odd shower. Southwesterly winds and highs of 15 to 17 degrees Celsius are also forecast.

"Bay Of Plenty should have a mainly sunny and dry day."

Western North Island including Central North Island
Partly cloudy, the odd shower at times, more so for Taranaki and the Central North Island. West to southwesterly winds die out in the evening.
Highs: 9-16

Eastern North Island
Mainly sunny, there could be a few afternoon clouds as westerlies tend more southwest.
Highs: 14-17

Wellington
Mostly sunny, winds tend to the south in the morning, north by evening.
Highs: 14-15

Marlborough and Nelson
Sunny, west to southwesterly winds die out in the morning for Marlborough, light afternoon northeasterlies. Southwesterlies don't die out till evening in Nelson.
Highs: 13-15

Canterbury
Sunny, light winds tend east to northeast around midday. Evening coastal cloud possible.
Highs: 11-14

West Coast
Occasional showers, drying up for South Westland in the afternoon. Rain develops about Fiordland in the evening becoming heavy overnight with thunderstorms possible. Winds from the west or southwest, tending north to northwest later in the day.
Highs: 10-14

Southland and Otago
Morning showers clear then a few sunny spells break through with easing westerly winds. Rain develops overnight for Southland and western Central Otago.
Highs: 12-13