After the mint Waitangi Day weather, MetService is forecasting more fine and dry weather across New Zealand for the rest of the week.

This is mainly due to a large area of high pressure sitting over the North Island which is slowing the movement of rain up the South Island.

Kiwis can expect more of the hotter, windier, nor’westers moving further up the country lifting temperatures more in the upper South Island and eastern and northern North Island.

On Thursday, a front is forecast to move quickly northeast across New Zealand spreading a relatively cool southwest change over the country. However, there is minimal risk of severe weather at this stage.

A ridge of high pressure should become established over the country during Friday. Again there is minimal risk of severe weather.

On Saturday, another front moves quickly northeast across southern and central New Zealand, preceded by strong northwesterlies and followed by relatively cool southwesterlies.

There is low confidence that a rainfall warning will be required for Fiordland.

On Sunday, the front should move across the North Island and away to the northeast, followed by a building ridge of high pressure. However, again, there is minimal risk of severe weather at this stage.