It's traditionally a time to get into the garden, though this Labour weekend's weather forecast is a mixed bag. Photo: RNZ / Alison Ballance
Most of the country is expected to get spells of fine weather during Labour weekend, though the three days would also feature periods of cloud and showers for most places, MetService meteorologists say.
North Island: MetService's extended forecast
A low remaining from during the week was expected to have shifted up to the northwest of the North Island in the days before the weekend, bringing showers to the northern half of the island.
"While it could be a bit of a wet start to the long weekend up north, things do look to improve into Labour Weekend," MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said, looking at the extended forecast earlier in the week.
For Auckland, rain could be widespread early on Saturday, but was expected to clear to fine for the afternoon with fresh Southerlies easing in the evening, forecasters said on Wednesday.
Sunday in the supercity was expected to be a mix of fine spells with potential isolated showers in the afternoon, and Southerlies easing. And Labour day would start with rain that could clear later in the day but would remain cloudy.
From Waikato to Gisborne, occasional rain was expected on Saturday, with mostly fine weather elsewhere in the North Island, though those in Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa could see isolated showers.
On Sunday fine spells were also expected for most of the North Island, with some showers in the east that would ease later in the day, and isolated showers north of Taupō.
In Wellington, Saturday and Sunday were both expected to be mostly cloudy, before a chance for a clear day on Monday.
The capital's weekend would start with isolated showers and developing Southeasterlies on Saturday, that could ease and clear to fine on Sunday, with Monday expected to be fine.
Much of the country will have a long Labour weekend of cloudy days, showers - and some precious fine spells. Photo: Andris Apse
South Island: MetService's extended forecast
Saturday was expected to become fine for the west of the South Island, but with showers in the south expected to spread east, forecasters said.
For Sunday, the west of the South Island was expected to remain mostly fine, but the rest of the island could experience scattered showers, that could clear later in the day for areas to the south.
Christchurch was expected to start the long weekend with a cloudy Saturday and Sunday, before hopefully developing into a day of sun on Labour Day.
Isolated showers were expected for the city on both Saturday and Sunday, easing later on for both days, and Southerlies on Saturday were expected to ease in the evening, before Easterlies develop on Sunday.
For Dunedin, Saturday was expected to be mostly cloudy with scattered showers, easing later on in the day, but with Southwesterlies becoming fresh in the afternoon and evening.
And the showers could clear early on Sunday for Dunedin for a fine day with light winds, and Monday was expected to be cloudy with northeasterlies.