Whiling away the hours with eyes peeled for better weather

When the weather's not flash and you're at one of New Zealand's most popular beaches with six bored children, Richard Graham does what he says is easiest.

He gives his wife his wallet and sends her off shopping.

Mr Graham, wife Angela and their youngsters were with friends Robert and Maria Batters and their three children relaxing at a holiday park at Waihi Beach yesterday.

The two Hamilton families were hoping for a break in the weather today, after yesterday's rain and a blustery southwesterly wind meant that the normally bustling Bay of Plenty beach was virtually empty.

"We got up, it was raining and there was nobody at the beach except for a few surfers and a couple of lifeguards," said Mr Graham.

"So we went for a bit of a walk, hung out, gave the tent a bit of a tidy-up, while the girls went and got the essentials, like dresses. Some of the kids went for a surf, then came back and jumped in the spa pool."

Mr Batters said families should prepare for off-days in summer with things like board games and cards for the children and a good selection of books and music for the adults.

At a nearby tent site, Wellingtonians Shelly and Neil Shackleton and their friend Jessica McKenzie told the Herald that although the weather was drab it wasn't putting a dampener on their holiday fun.

"Basically you can just blob out and do very little, like your nails, and still have fun," said Mrs Shackleton.

"But we brought a cricket set, a frisbee and a rugby ball along and we hope to use them soon. There are a few good walks nearby, as well."

Weatherwatch analyst Phillip Duncan said the blustery conditions, which reached near gale force in some areas, were caused by a combination of a high weather system over the Tasman Sea and a big low to the south of New Zealand.

Most places, however, should enjoy fine weather for the next few days, with temperatures in the low to high 20s throughout the North Island.