An anticyclone lies over the South Island on Thursday, southeasterlies gradually eases over the North Island.

Heavy rain eases about Northland on Thursday morning to showers. Drizzle or light showers for much of the day along the east coast, drier out west with a mix of sun and cloud.

For the South Island conditions are mostly sunny, there may be a few spots of morning cloud in the east.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz