“There is a chance that as we get right in close to the evening of New Year’s Eve, things clear up a bit in the north of the North Island, so you might get lucky if you’re up there,” Martino said. “But certainly, for a lot of us it’s going to be a damp few days.”Martino also said cooler-than-average temperatures are expected across the South Island during this period. “Overnight lows [are] getting down to 5 or 6C for some of those southern and inland South Island places. “Might be noticeable if you’re in a tent for your festival weekend.”In contrast, Martino said temperatures in the North Island are expected to remain around average for the time of year. On Friday afternoon, parts of the eastern South Island were placed under a severe thunderstorm watch, including Canterbury High Country, North Otago, Central Otago, Dunedin, Clutha and Southland.

Source: New Zealand Herald December 26, 2025 17:32 UTC