Strong winds had been confined to areas north of Great Barrier Island but would pick up in Auckland overnight, he said.
Meanwhile, it was blue skies in the Central North Island as keen skiers and snowboarders enjoyed a perfect start to the ski season at Mt Ruapehu.
Skiers enjoyed a clear day for the start of ski season at Happy Valley on Mt Ruapehu. Photo / Matt McIvor
The mountain opened for business yesterday, with free lift access for all skiers and snowboarders. Today was the first full day of business.
By midday, just over 1200 people had hit the slopes, said Ruapehu Alpine Lifts marketing manager Matt McIvor.
Chris Beer, a 57-year-old GP returning to skiing after an eight-year break, blasted out the cobwebs with a lesson in the morning.
"It's been a great day for it," he said. "The snow is terrific."
In the South Island, a high pressure system has meant that large parts of the Island were experiencing a sunny but cold day.
Today's forecast
Auckland:Cloudy. Showers developing evening and northeast strengthening. 17C 12C Hamilton:Cloud gradually increasing, then light rain at night. Easterlies. 15C 9C Tauranga: Often cloudy. A few showers, more frequent from evening and easterly picking up. 16C 11C Wellington: Fine, apart from low cloud and drizzle about the Hutt Valley, clearing morning. Southeast breezes. 14C 8C Christchurch: Cloudy, with occasional drizzle. Light winds.11C 4C Dunedin: Fine. Northeasterly breezes. 11C 4C Source: MetService
