KEY POINTS:
Labour Weekend is promising to be a bit of a fizzer with rain and strong winds forecast.
The MetService said a depression, which was deepening over the Tasman Sea, was likely to cross the North Island on Saturday.
It could bring a period of heavy rain to some northern parts of the North Island on Friday or Saturday, followed by strong winds at times during Saturday or Sunday, MetService forecaster Peter Kreft said.
People in northern New Zealand planning to travel at the start of the long weekend were likely to encounter some difficult driving weather.
In the South Island, people were likely to experience better weather, although a cold southerly flow was expected to affect the far south briefly on Sunday.
On Labour Day, the weather in most places should settle down to be fine, sunny and not so windy, Mr Kreft said.
Meanwhile, police are urging drivers planning a trip over the weekend to take care on the roads and make sure their cars are up to standard.
Acting National Road Policing manager Inspector Matt Fitzsimons said there had been too many crashes on New Zealand roads during Labour weekend in previous years, often caused by poor decision making and poor driving.
"During Labour weekend last year, four people lost their lives, 28 sustained serious injuries, and 117 sustained minor injuries in vehicle crashes," Mr Fitzsimons said.
"The most prevalent crash contributors are still excessive speed, alcohol impairment and failure to drive to the conditions."
Police would deploy all available staff throughout the country, paying particular attention to State Highways and major thoroughfares.
"Motorists can expect to see booze buses in operation over the weekend," Mr Fitzsimons said.
"It is important for drivers to ensure that all vehicle occupants are restrained and to ensure that adequate rest breaks are taken."
Mr Fitzsimons also urged drivers to be patient when faced with inevitable congestion on the roads at the start and end of the long weekend.
"The condensed message is `buckle up, don't drink and drive, and be careful when overtaking'."
Senior Sergeant Neville Hyland of Canterbury Highway Patrol said police would be ensuring that traffic kept moving, was safe, and that drivers were considerate.
Drivers who were towing, or driving a motor home, would usually be travelling slower than the main stream of traffic and were asked to watch for traffic building up behind them.
"Slower drivers must watch behind and when they see a build up, are asked to pull over safely at the first available opportunity and let traffic through.
"This will reduce potential frustration and risk taking by drivers trying to overtake slower vehicles," Mr Hyland said.
The official Labour Weekend holiday period starts at 4pm on Friday and ends at 6am on Tuesday.
- NZPA
