Better weather expected for New Year

The Black Seeds will play at Mount Vibes on New Year's Eve.

It's shaping up to be a great New Year's Eve at popular summer music festivals, with the weather forecast to be fine for most, with only the odd shower at Gisborne's Rhythm and Vines.

The MetService has forecast mostly fine weather for the Mount Vibes festival in Mt Maunganui, Rhythm and Alps near Wanaka, the Britomart Beach Party in Auckland and Decks on the Beach on Waiheke Island.

However, there could be some isolated afternoon showers at Rhythm and Vines near Gisborne, as well as a few showers at the La De Da festival in Martinborough.

The mostly fine weather will come after a final push of rain over the North Island this weekend.

MetService meteorologist John Law said a low-pressure system would bring a warm, moist northerly flow over the top of the country.

But by New Year's Eve, the weather was looking more settled, with a brief ridge of high pressure pushing across the north and east of the North Island, and showers clearing in the west.

Mr Law said heading up north would be the best bet for good New Year's Eve weather.

"With that ridge building over for the north, you've got some nice spells of some drier weather up there."

New Year's Eve revellers are spoilt for choice this year, with a number of major festivals and other events throughout the North Island.

The Britomart Beach Party involves an artificial beach with four tonnes of sand, 10 venues and multiple stages. Across on Waiheke Island, the Decks on the Beach party will feature local DJs and two outdoor areas with views over the Hauraki Gulf.

The ever-popular Rhythm and Vines festival in Gisborne is expected to draw big crowds, with drum and bass group Shapeshifter and British group Rudimental, both of which will also play the spin-off Rhythm and Alps festival near Wanaka.

Mount Vibes in Mt Maunganui will feature summer festival favourites the Black Seeds, while the La De Da festival in rural Martinborough is being headlined by US rapper A$AP Rocky and Australian electronic artist Flume.

La De Da had also been due to host popular New Zealand roots-reggae acts Katchafire and Kora, but they pulled out of the festival and will now play their own show at Butlers Reef in Oakura, Taranaki, on New Year's Eve.