A series of lows will track across Australia and into NZ over the coming 5 days, with a return to the windy westerlies for New Zealand.

Before it arrives much of NZ will be warmer than average by over 8 or even over 10 degrees above normal – especially through the South Island’s interior.

A colder change is already spreading into Australia and will expand over Thursday and Friday as it heads east to Sydney – then moves into the lower South Island this weekend.