But before the system even reaches the country, strong to gale northeasterly winds and rain will hit most of northern and central New Zealand -- hitting hardest in Waikato to Bay of Plenty and Northland.
There is a severe weather watch in place for Northland.
On Sunday, a cold front will sweep northwards across the country, with outbreaks of rain or showers spreading over southern and eastern parts of both islands. During Monday, weather should settle with a ridge of high pressure expected over New Zealand.
Today's weather:
Weather is looking good for the last day of the year in most of New Zealand, with only the odd chance of a shower.
Morning cloud over the South Island is breaking up already and New Year's Eve is set to be a cracker for anyone down that way.
Mr Hines said the best spots to see in the New Year are in Marlborough and Nelson, with light winds, lots of sun and warm temperatures.
Queenstown is also looking good, with temperatures expected in the mid- to high-20s for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
NYE North Island Forecast:
Far North:
Today - Cloud increasing, with a few light showers in the east. Rain developing in the north at night with some heavy falls overnight. Easterlies developing in the morning, rising to gale gusting 100 km/h in the Far North at night. High: 24C.
Tomorrow - Rain with heavy falls spreading from the north. Northeasterlies, gale or possibly severe gale in the far north. High: 22C. Saturday - Rain with heavy falls, easing to showers with strong or gale northeasterlies turning to lighter northwest. High: 23C.
Auckland:
Today - High cloud increasing. Easterlies developing in the morning, then strengthening at night. High: 25C.
Tomorrow - Rain with some heavy falls developing during the morning. Strong northeasterlies, possibly rising to gale in exposed places. High: 22C. Saturday - Periods of rain, with some heavy falls. Strong or gale northeasterlies changing to lighter northwest late. High: 22C.
Coromandel:
Today - Cloud increasing. Easterlies developing in the afternoon. High: 23C.
Tomorrow - Rain with some heavy falls developing during the morning. Strong northeasterlies, possibly rising to gale in exposed places. High: 20C. Saturday - Periods of rain, with some heavy falls. Strong or gale northeasterlies changing to lighter northwest late. High 22C
Bay of Plenty:
Today - Becoming fine this morning. However, isolated afternoon and evening showers inland, then high cloud increasing. Northeast breezes. High: 25C.
Tomorrow - Rain developing in the afternoon, with possible heavy falls. Strengthening northeasterlies. High: 22C. Saturday - Rain, with some heavy falls. Northeasterlies, possibly rising to gale for a time in exposed places. High: 21C.
Gisborne:
Today - Cloudy, with a few showers, then retreating to the ranges this afternoon and fine breaks developing. Southeasterlies developing for a time. High: 20C.
Tomorrow - Rain spreading from the north during the afternoon. Northeasterlies, freshening about the coast. high: 21C. Saturday - Occasional rain, with possible heavy falls in the north. Northerlies becoming strong in exposed places. High: 22C.
Hawkes Bay:
Today - Cloudy, a few showers retreating to the ranges from afternoon and fine breaks developing. Southeast breezes. High: 19C.
Tomorrow - Cloud increasing. Scattered rain developing towards evening. Northeasterlies. High: 20C. Saturday - Occasional rain. Northerlies becoming strong in exposed places. High: 21C
Taupo:
Today - Becoming fine this morning. However, isolated afternoon and evening showers, then high cloud increasing. Light winds. High: 25C.
Tomorrow - Cloud increasing. Rain spreading from the north during the afternoon. Northeasterlies. High 23C. Saturday - Periods of rain, with possible heavy falls. Fresh northerlies. High: 19C.
Kapiti:
Today - The odd shower clearing this morning, then becoming fine. Southerly breezes, tending easterly this evening. High: 26C.
Tomorrow - Mainly fine with high cloud. Scattered rain developing overnight. Northeasterlies. High - 29C. Saturday - Occasional rain. Northerlies. High: 23C
NYE South Island Forecast:
Marlborough:
Today - Fine, apart from morning cloud. Light winds inland. Southerlies about the coast, dying away in the afternoon but northeasterlies then developing about the Kaikoura Coast. High: 21C.
Tomorrow - Fine with increasing high cloud. Winds mainly light, but northeasterlies about the Kaikoura Coast. High: 28C. Saturday - Occasional rain developing in the morning. Northerlies. High: 21C.
Nelson:
Today - Fine, apart from morning cloud. Easterlies about Cape Farewell, light winds and sea breezes elsewhere. High: 23C.
Tomorrow - Fine with increasing high cloud. Light winds. High: 28C. Saturday - Rain developing early morning, with some heavy falls.Northerlies developing. High 21C.
Christchurch:
Today - Fine, apart from morning cloud. Northeasterlies developing in the afternoon, easing at night. High: 18C.
Tomorrow - Fine, apart from areas of morning cloud. Northeast breezes. High: 22C. Saturday - Cloud increasing and scattered rain developing. Light winds. High 21C.
Central Otago:
Today - Fine with light winds. High: 28C.
Tomorrow - Fine, apart from areas of morning cloud and isolated afternoon or evening showers. Light winds. High: 29C. Saturday - Cloudy periods and a few showers. Southerly winds developing. High: 27C.
Queenstown:
Today - Fine. Wind at 1000m: Light winds. Wind at 2000m: Westerly 30km/h developing. Free air freezing level: Above 3000 metres. High: 28C.
Tomorrow - Fine, apart from areas of morning cloud and isolated afternoon or evening showers. Wind at 1000m: Light. Wind at 2000m: Light. Free air freezing level: Above 3000 metres. High: 29C. Saturday - Cloudy periods and a few showers. Southerlies developing. High: 28C.
Southland:
Today - Fine. Winds mainly light, but westerlies developing about the coast in the afternoon. High 25C.
Tomorrow - Fine, apart from areas of morning cloud and isolated afternoon or evening showers inland. Northerly breezes. High 26C. Saturday - Cloudy periods and a few showers. Northerlies changing southerly. High: 26C.
