A large high pressure system is sitting over the country today bringing settled weather, says a MetServices spokesperson.

"A front moves into South Westland overnight with rain."

It's a cold start for the Central Plateau of the North Island.

"Partly cloudy for the upper North Island, one or two isolated showers can be expected north of about Auckland and  Coromandel.

"This evening a few showers spring up for Bay of Plenty, especially in the east. Hawkes Bay and Gisborne have cloud this morning with showers then breaking to mostly sunny weather this afternoon."

The North Island forecase is for mostly a sunny day elsewhere with any early fog breaking away.

"Cloud will develop for Kapiti and Wellington overnight. Winds are light tending onshore this afternoon, later this evening / overnight winds tend northerly for all."

In the South Island, the MetService says there is a chance of a morning mist or fog patch, mainly for inland areas which will be experiencing a cold start too.

"Some cloud along the West Coast and for Nelson today but sunny spells should increase. At the same time high cloud thickens from the west as the day progresses.

"Mostly sunny along the east coast after any morning cloud breaks away, a few clouds may drift in again this afternoon.

"In the meanwhile high cloud increases from the west. Winds are from the north in the west, and northeast in the east. Rain moves into South Westland overnight."