It's shaping up to be a great New Year's Eve at popular summer music festivals, with the weather forecast to be fine for most, with only the odd shower at Gisborne's Rhythm and Vines.
MetService has forecast mostly fine weather for the Mount Vibes festival in Mt Maunganui, Rhythm and Alps near Wanaka, the Britomart Beach Party in Auckland and Decks on the Beach on Waiheke Island.
However, there could be some isolated afternoon showers at Rhythm and Vines near Gisborne, as well as a few showers at the La De Da festival in Martinborough.
The mostly fine weather comes after a final push of rain over the North Island this weekend.
MetService meteorologist John Law said a low pressure system would bring a warm, moist northerly flow over the top of the country.
But by New Year's Eve, the weather was looking more settled, with a brief ridge of high pressure pushing across the north and east of the North Island, and showers clearing in the west.
Mr Law said heading up north would be the best bet for good New Year's Eve weather.
"With that ridge building over for the north, you've got some nice spells of some drier weather up there."
New Year's Eve revellers are spoilt for choice this year, with a number of major festivals and other events throughout the North Island.
For those staying in Auckland, the Britomart Beach Party involves an artificial beach with four tonnes of sand, 10 venues and multiple stages.
Across on Waiheke Island, the Decks on the Beach party will feature local DJs and two outdoor areas with views over the Hauraki Gulf.
The ever-popular Rhythm and Vines festival in Gisborne is expected to draw big crowds with New Zealand drum and bass group Shapeshifter and British group Rudimental, both of which will also play the spin-off Rhythm and Alps festival near Wanaka.
Mount Vibes in Mt Maunganui will feature summer festival favourites the Black Seeds, while the La De Da festival in scenic rural Martinborough is being headlined by US rapper A$AP Rocky and Australian electronic artist Flume.
La De Da was also due to host popular New Zealand roots-reggae acts Katchafire and Kora, but they pulled out of the festival and will now play their own show at New Plymouth's Butlers Reef on New Year's Eve.
NEW YEAR'S EVE FESTIVAL WEATHER
- Auckland (Britomart Beach Party, Britomart, and Decks on the Beach, Waiheke Island): Westerlies and occasional showers on Monday, but New Year's Eve should have fine spells and a high of 24C. It should stay fine for New Year's Day, but a chance of isolated showers.
- Mt Maunganui (Mount Vibes, ASB Baypark Stadium): Occasional showers on Monday, followed by a "pretty decent end" to the year on Tuesday, with the weather becoming fine and a high of 25C. A similarly nice day on New Year's Day, but isolated showers are not out of the question.
- Gisborne (Rhythm and Vines, Waiohika Estate): The weekend rain should clear by Monday with just a few showers. For New Year's Eve there will be fine spells, a high of 27C, and isolated afternoon showers, hopefully clearing in time for midnight celebrations. It should stay mostly fine for New Year's Day.
- Martinborough (La De Da, Daisybank Farm): Occasional showers on Monday, and a few showers on New Year's Eve with a high of about 23C. It will be fine by New Year's Day with a northerly breeze.
- Wanaka (Rhythm and Alps, Cardrona Valley): Monday will get occasional rain and southerlies, becoming fine on New Year's Eve with northerlies and a high of 21C. It should stay fine on New Year's Day with just some areas of cloud to watch out for.
HOLIDAY SPOT WEATHER
- Paihia, Bay of Islands: Weekend rain easing to occasional showers by Monday. On New Year's Eve and the following day, the odd chance of a shower but mostly fine.
- Whitianga, Coromandel: Occasional showers on Monday, clearing by New Year's Eve with fine spells and a chance of showers.
- Queenstown: A bit of cloud on New Year's Eve and a northerly breeze, but dry and mostly fine. It should stay fine on New Year's Day.
- Nelson: The weekend rain might linger on Monday, but showers should clear on New Year's Eve, with a fine afternoon. A chance of isolated showers on New Year's Day.
