Summer sunshine runs on and on

Alice Chrisp, 4, of St Marys Bay, at the Parnell Baths yesterday. Picture / Martin Sykes

Forecasters see no end in sight to the golden weather that had Aucklanders flocking outdoors yesterday.

MetService forecaster Mads Naeraa said the outlook was for good weather for the next couple of weeks, apart from a cold front expected to cross the country in about 10 days' time.

"Don't bet your mortgage on it but the weather is looking pretty settled," he said.

While Wellington and some parts of the lower South Island got chilly temperatures and rain yesterday, most centres in both the North and South Islands were fine and sunny.

Auckland reached a balmy 22C yesterday and while Kawerau got the day's high of 24C.

Wellington and parts of the South Island will get more showers for the next few days while rain could be heavy in some eastern areas of Gisborne and Hawkes Bay from a low pressure system sitting over the east coast of the North Island.

But the low should move away by Wednesday, making way for another high-pressure system moving in from the Tasman and expected to be in charge over much of the country.

The balmy weather helped attract big crowds to the second annual Auckland Wine and Food Festival at the Viaduct Harbour.

Around 4000 people attended on Saturday and more yesterday, enticed by fine local and international wines and the creations of top Auckland chefs.

Annette Gibson from Torbay, visiting the event for the first time, said she would definitely be back.

"It's a nice thing to do on a Sunday afternoon, especially in this weather."

The Parnell Baths in Auckland will stay open until the end of April, instead of closing at the beginning of the month as expected.

Auckland's temperatures

Yesterday: Maximum 22C

April 10, last year: Max 15C, minimum 12C

April 10, 2003: Max 17C, minimum 13.3C