A surfer heads out at Papamoa Beach. Photo/ John Borren
Some of New Zealand's favourite beaches will be graced with gorgeous weather for the first weekend of summer.
The MetService is picking Papamoa, Ohope and Golden Bay as the spots to be this weekend.
Meteorologist Peter Little said most of the country will be in for a "pretty good weekend" weatherwise.
A ridge of high pressure was moving over the country, bringing warm weather and light winds.
Cloud would hang around the north of the North Island this morning.
Aucklanders should catch a few rays at the city's eastern beaches, Little said, "because the wind will be coming from the city instead of the sea".
"There's a chance of some cloudy periods."
But further south, from Raglan to the Kapiti Coast, west is best.
Oakura and Fitzroy in Taranaki would be bathed in sunshine.
Popular Bay of Plenty beaches, like Papamoa and Ohope, should also be mostly fine.
Despite being known for its sunshine, Gisborne would be showery.
The weather in the South Island would be sunny and summery from "Golden Bay right down to towards Otago".
But: "As you head further west and also to the Southland coast, it won't be so good". Cloud was forecast for Greymouth and showers for Invercargill.
Whangarei - 22C Mostly sunny with light winds, chance of an afternoon shower
Auckland - 21C Mostly sunny, chance of an afternoon shower, southwest breezes
Hamilton - 23C Fine with a few cloudy periods and light winds
Tauranga - 20C Fine spells, chance of an afternoon shower
New Plymouth - 19C Mostly sunny, with westerly breezes developing
Napier - 19C Morning cloud clearing to fine weather
Wellington - 18C Fine, "fresh" northerlies in the afternoon
Nelson - 19 Mainly fine, northwesterlies developing
Christchurch - 21C Mostly sunny, some high cloud and northeasterlies
Dunedin - 19C Fine spells and occasional afternoon rain
The flights were carrying hundreds of athletes ahead of Saturday morning’s race.