Wind and rain expected for Easter

File photo / Alan Gibson

Easter will get off to a blustery start before the weather starts to settle by Easter Monday, according to the WeatherWatch forecast.

The weather is likely to start off changeable for most of the North Island as a sub-tropical low settles near Northland.

On Good Friday, the low is expected to bring strong easterly to northeasterly winds, gusting to gale force in parts of the Far North, Gisborne, Taranaki and Wellington.

Auckland will likely get some localised downpours throughout the day, and heavy rain in Gisborne and Hawke's Bay will ease towards the evening.

On Saturday, windy southeasterlies should ease across the North Island, with mostly cloudy conditions and the odd shower at times.

The rain will be more persistent around the East Cape and Far North, but should ease later.

Cloud is set to linger across the North Island for Easter Sunday, but winds and showers are expected to ease, with dry spells increasing.

The weather will be brighter on Easter Monday, with drizzle in the east easing to reveal blue skies and a few harmless clouds.

Easter in the South Island will start off mostly dry, with some moderate winds and the odd shower, with winds easing and more fine weather on saturday.

Easter Sunday will see some cloud and drizzle but the South Island will be mostly sunny.

On Easter Monday, both costs will get some rain and clouds, but skies are expected to clear in Nelson and Marlborough.