Weekend weather: Parts of country set for 30C scorcher

It's set to be a mostly fine weekend across New Zealand, with sunnier parts of the country set to hit 30C - but one region will need their umbrellas ready.

"For most of us, the high pressure signals a fairly settled spell of weather as we head in towards the weekend," meteorologist John Law said in a video update for MetService.

It follows a few days of wet weather, particularly across the upper North Island. While Friday nationwide would be mostly dry, there were expected to be some showers around Fiordland.

"Areas of cloud from time to time, but not a bad looking story for Southland and Otago."

West Coast, Tasman and Marlborough would also be sunny and dry, and after some morning showers, Wellington too.

"Plenty of dry weather as we head up towards the Bay of Plenty, Taupō, Rotorua and down that eastern coast, with plenty of sun as we head through the daytime as well."

Further north, there would be the "odd shower" in Northland and Auckland, but otherwise it would be sunny.

By Sunday, Napier was forecast to be as hot as 29C, followed by 30C on Monday. While Tuesday and Wednesday were expected to peak at a still-balmy 25C, rain would set in before a drop to 19C by Thursday. But Napier won't be the hottest town in the Hawke's Bay, let alone New Zealand - that honour will go to Hastings, if the forecast is correct, which could hit 31C on Monday.

Auckland will peak at 23C through Monday and Tuesday. Further south, Christchurch will reach 26C on Monday and Dunedin 24C on Sunday. But Wellington won't even reach 20C at all, peaking at 18C on Monday as the rain sets in.

Westland will take the brunt of the incoming system, with MetService saying with moderate confidence rainfall will reach warning criteria by Sunday.