A cold pool of air lies over New Zealand for much of this week, ahead of a wintry burst next week – and perhaps some briefly milder northerlies in between.

High pressures moves over the South Island this week, bringing nationwide frosts – heaviest in the South Island and the Central Plateau of the North Island.

Milder northerlies are likely late week or this weekend – but that’s ahead of an even larger southerly change likely early next week. We bring you the latest forecast.