We woke to a stunning morning here in Whangamata, on the Coromandel Peninsula – sunshine, barely a breath of wind, and a gentle surf. Out on the water, it’s been a steady stream of trailer boats and the odd classic launch, heading out for a fish and trickling back in with the tide. Meanwhile, word from the rest of the Boating New Zealand crew and family in the Waikato is that we dodged a thick blanket of fog. Down in Wellington, the earlier storms seem to have eased, and further south, the near-winter conditions are putting on a show – crisp, calm, and quietly beautiful.
Weather overview
A ridge of high pressure is dominating Aotearoa’s weather pattern, delivering settled conditions, light winds, and calm seas across most of the country through to Saturday. From Northland down to Canterbury, it’s prime boating and fishing weather – great visibility, minimal swell, and light breezes. However, a change is looming. From Sunday onwards, a moist northerly system is expected to push down the country, bringing cloud, increasing winds, and periods of rain – especially in the North Island and southern coastal areas.
Top boating and fishing windows
The best days for getting on the water are Thursday through Saturday. The Bay of Islands, Hauraki Gulf, and Bay of Plenty stand out – light winds generally under 10–15 knots, small swells around 0.5 to 1 metre, and largely fine weather. These regions will offer the best conditions for small craft, spearfishing, and inshore fishing.
Wellington and Hawke Bay will also enjoy good conditions into Saturday. From Sunday, expect increasing northerlies and a rougher sea state. Christchurch also remains calm through Saturday, with a shift to stronger winds Sunday, but Monday may offer another brief calm patch.
Boaties are urged to make the most of the next couple of days. Conditions from Sunday onwards will deteriorate, particularly in the north, so keep a close eye on MetService updates. So we’re crossing our fingers for the Foil4TheGulf event that the weather holds out and they have fantastic conditions.
Bay of Islands
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Today (Thurs): Variable 5 knots. Smooth seas. Partly cloudy. Easterly swell 0.5m rising to 1m.
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Fri: Southwest 10 knots, then southeast 10 knots afternoon. Slight sea. Showers possible.
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Sat: Southeast 10 knots, becoming northeast 15 knots. Partly cloudy.
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Sun: Northeast 15 knots. Fine. Swell steady at 1m.
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Mon: Northerly 15 knots. Rain. Swell increasing to 2m.
Hauraki Gulf
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Today: Light winds, partly cloudy.
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Fri: Southwest 10 knots at times. Cloudy, chance of morning shower.
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Sat: Northeast 15 knots. Partly cloudy.
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Sun: Northeast 20 knots.
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Mon: Northerly 20 knots. Rain arriving.
Bay of Plenty
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Today: Fine. Light winds, slight sea.
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Fri: Southwest to southeast 10 knots. Slight sea.
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Sat: Southeast 10 easing to light. Partly cloudy.
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Sun: Northerly 15 knots. Showers, swell building.
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Mon: Northwest 20 knots. Rain. Northerly swell 1m.
Hawke Bay
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Today: Fine. Variable winds becoming westerly 15 knots. Southerly swell rising to 1.5m.
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Fri: Westerly easing to southerly. Fine, swell easing.
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Sat: Calm morning, then northerly 15 knots.
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Sun: Northerly 15 knots. Fine. Swell easing.
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Mon: Northerly 15 knots. Rain developing.
Wellington
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Today: Northerly 15 knots easing this evening. Fine weather. Swell around 1.5–2m.
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Fri: Light winds. Fine. Swell easing.
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Sat: Northerly 15 knots. Fine.
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Sun: Northerly 25 knots. Cloud clearing.
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Mon: Northerly 25 easing to 15. Rain clearing.
Christchurch
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Today: Fine. Light winds, slight sea.
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Fri: Northeast 10 knots in the evening. Fine.
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Sat: Light winds, fine.
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Sun: Northerly 20 knots. Partly cloudy.
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Mon: Light winds. Clearing weather.
General weather
From Thursday through Saturday, expect frosty mornings followed by sunny, settled days across most of the country. A high-pressure ridge is in full effect, locking in light winds and fine skies – near perfect conditions for a late-autumn run on the water.
That will all change from Sunday. A front pushing down from the northwest will bring rain and wind to the South Island first, then spread across the North Island. MetService is flagging potential for severe weather as this front moves through – so it’s worth planning around it.
According to MetService meteorologist Oscar Shiviti: “People should enjoy the sunny weather through the weekend while they can – it’s great for outdoor activities, but things may change toward the end of the weekend.”
By Monday, most regions will be looking at cloudy, wetter, and windier conditions, but warmer overnight temperatures.
For the latest updates, visit: www.metservice.com
