KEY POINTS:
It will be a good Friday for North Islanders but a gloomy one for southerners as the long weekend is likely to bring both fine weather and a few drizzles.
The North Island is expected to be fine throughout the week, with settled, dry weather right through to Good Friday and Saturday.
Parts of the South Island are set to be fine during the week, according to predictions, including Nelson, Marlborough and Canterbury, but a southerly may come through on Saturday.
The West Coast may get some rain, with drizzles in Westland and rain in Fiordland at the weekend. Otago and Southland are also predicted to have some rainy weather throughout the week until Friday, with fine spells expected until the end of the day, clearing up on Saturday.
Daylight saving will end on April 6, which is later than in some years, after one of the hottest summers to date and continuing mild temperatures around the country.
Although the hot weather has been welcomed by many, the downside has been drought conditions in parts of the country.
The need for rain has been strong in places such as the Wairarapa and Waikato, which has had one of its worst droughts.
