Wet weekend on way for most

The weekend will be at least partly wet for most of the country, forecasters said this morning.

MetService media and communications meteorologist Daniel Corbett said a subtropical low would bring showers to most parts of the North Island.

"As we go through the weekend you can imagine this spinning low, like a spinning top, just giving a glancing blow to the northern and eastern coasts of the North Island."

Some dry patches and brighter spells were expected in Auckland, and temperatures would remain mild, at around 15-16 degrees during the day and not dropping below 10 overnight.

"It's still really mild, there isn't really any cold air behind this front," Mr Corbett said.

Patchy showers would persist on Sunday before petering out over Monday and Tuesday.

The central and lower North Island would be wet for much of the weekend. The area between Gisborne and Wairarapa would bear the brunt of the front and there would be heavy bursts of rain in eastern Northland, Mr Corbett said.

The forecast for the South Islands was a little messy. There would be some dry weather in Otago and Canterbury but people heading to Fiordland and the West Coast should take a raincoat, he said.

Weather Watch head analyst Philip Duncan said Saturday in Auckland would be almost identical to last weekend, with thick cloud and rain arriving tomorrow.

But the low would be good news for some, with farmers and gardeners desperate for rainfall.

"I can't recall an August in Auckland where people have been needing rain," Mr Duncan said.