Winter may be officially over but do not expect sunshine and higher temperatures just yet.
MetService meteorologist Georgina Griffiths said a cooler-than-usual September was expected for the entire country.
"Since the middle of winter, New Zealand has generally been running colder than normal, due to a higher frequency of southwesterlies and cooler than usual seas around our coastline.
This is standard El Nino for us," she said. "After a stormy start to September, we should then see a progressive shift towards more highs over the country.
"The first week of the month should produce significant rain for all regions of the country, including useful rain into the relatively dry eastern areas.