Holiday fun in the sun

Rashidah Hudson, 20, and Casey Lowther, 19, enjoy Mission Bay. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Much of the country enjoyed a sunny start to the holiday weekend yesterday - with the fine weather predicted to continue today.

Lifeguard patrols started at about 20 beaches around the North Island, but volunteers reported few problems.

One swimmer got into trouble at Muriwai, on Auckland's wild west coast, but the rescue went smoothly.

At nearby Piha, Surf Life Saving Club captain Tony Featherstone said the sun attracted several hundred beachgoers but only a handful braved chilly sea temperatures.

The Bay of Plenty had the day's highest temperature - 19C. At Whangamata, in the north of the region, lifeguard Andre Johnson said the beach was quite busy but few visitors were in the water.

Boaties were out in force in good conditions on the Hauraki Gulf around Auckland, with good snapper catches reported by fishermen.

The Auckland Coastguard was kept busy, dealing with about 25 callouts from 2pm, mostly for flat batteries, empty tanks and mechanical faults.

Rashidah Hudson, 20, drove from Muriwai Beach to Mission Bay to enjoy a day in the sun with friend Casey Lowther, 19.

"We didn't expect this many people to be here, we were shocked when we came around the corner," Hudson said. "It was pretty packed out at Muriwai when we left as well."

Rafael Rodrigues took a break from playing volleyball with friends to practise the Brazilian art of capoeira - a combination of martial art and dance - to the delight of onlookers.

"I was just making sure I could still do it. I'm from Brazil and we do it there all the time."

The fine weather won't continue for long. Rain is possible tomorrow in the South Island and west of the North Island.

For the rest of the North Island, the rain should hold off until Tuesday. Things may let up on Wednesday but MetService predicted more rain on Thursday.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY