Depending on the behaviour of the ridge of high pressure sitting to the south/southeast of the country, rainfall could be expected to be near normal or slightly above from November to January, with the possibility of downpours breaking up spells of highs.
A predominantly El Nino weather pattern that had come into play in 2014 looked set to continue, apart from a brief and weak La Nina pattern from November until late summer, she said.
Although the tropical cyclone forecast from Niwa looked set to be average with eight to 10 predicted in the coming year, with two of those possibly affecting New Zealand. If a La Nina system was present it increased the likelihood of them coming this way, she added.
Niwa's forecast from now until December predicted a 60 per cent chance of temperatures being above average in Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa, and a probability that rainfall, soil moisture and river flows at near normal levels.
For the coming week in Hawke's Bay, MetService meteorologists said people across the North Island could expect fine weather heading into the working week, with temperatures reaching the early 20s for many.
"Sunshine and warmth will be the theme for most of the country as we head into the working week," said meteorologist Claire Flynn.
"The warmest spots are expected to be in the South Island, with Alexandra looking to reach 26C on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Invercargill reaching 25C on Monday."
In Hawke's Bay, she said Sunday's inland showers would make way for mostly settled fine weather for the week until Thursday, with the odd showers in southern parts of the regions and the ranges, but temperatures sitting around the 20C mark.
A front expected to approach the country would likely bring scattered rain on Friday.