New Year's Eve revellers can expect a warm and sunny day in most parts of the country, but the good weather will be short-lived.

MetService meteorologist Angus Hines said weather for the last day of the year was looking good in most parts of the country, with only the odd chance of shower.

"Any cloud in the south will burn off pretty early."

He said the best spots to see in the New Year would be around the upper South Island in Marlborough and Nelson, which will have light winds, lots of sun and warm temperatures.

Queenstown was also looking good, expecting temperatures in the mid- to high-20s for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

However, holidaymakers hoping to make the most of the warm sunny weather before returning to the office may be out of luck.

Mr Hines said a band of wet weather was expected to settle over much of the country in the first few days of 2016.

"A whole swathe is coming into the top of the country and will bring widespread rain through most of the North Island and upper South Island."

Mr Hines said the lower South Island would likely cop the wet weather last and get the least, but "there are no guarantees for a dry spot" in the first week of the New Year. He said rain would be particularly heavy around the upper North Island, but much of the wet weather was expected to clear from most of the country by the middle of the next week.

Weather forecast

Queenstown:

NYE: Mainly fine, with light winds.

A high of 26C and a low of 11C overnight.

NY: Mainly fine, with light winds.

A high of 27C, low of 13C overnight.

Clouds will begin to roll in on January 2 with a chance of late showers before rain sets in on January 3. The sun is expected to begin to peek through again on January 5, before making a full showing on January 6.

Nelson:

NYE: Becoming fine, light winds.

A high of 23C and a low of 13C.

NY: Fine, light winds.

A high of 25C and a low of 17C.

Rain is expected to come in early on January 2 and continue through the weekend until Tuesday January 5, before the sun comes out in full force on January 6.

Wellington:

NYE: A few morning showers will make way for a clear afternoon and evening.

A high of 20C and a low of 12C overnight.

NY: Fine, northerlies developing.

A high of 24C and a low of 16C.

Rain is expected to come in and stay throughout the weekend until January 5 when the sun begins to make a showing before eventually coming out in full force on Wednesday, January 6. Temperatures remain relatively cool throughout the first week of the New Year with a high of 17C in the first week.

Taupo:

NYE: A few showers, light winds.

A high of 23C and a low of 12C.

NY: Mainly fine, northeast breezes.

A high of 23C and a low of 15C.

There isn't too much sun to greet the New Year in Taupo were showers are expected through the first days of next year until January 5, when the sun begins to peek through the clouds, before eventually making a full show on Wednesday January 6.

Hastings:

NYE: Cloudy periods, chance of showers, southerly winds.

A high of 19C and a low of 14C overnight.

NY: Fine spells, northeasterlies developing.

A high of 23C and a low of 16C overnight.

The first weekend of the New Year is expected to be a little wet and rainy. The sun finally makes a showing from behind the clouds on Tuesday January 5, before coming out in full force on Wednesday January 6 and Thursday January 7.

Napier:

NYE: Cloudy periods, chance of showers.

A high of 20C and a low of 15C overnight.

NY: Fine spells, northeasterly developing.

A high of 23C and a low of 17C overnight.

The first weekend of the New Year is expected to be wet and rainy. The sun finally reappears from behind the clouds on Tuesday January 5, before coming out in full force on Wednesday January 6 and Thursday January 7.

Tauranga:

NYE: Occasional showers easing, light winds.

A high of 24C and a low of 16C overnight.

NY: Cloudy, northeasterly breezes.

A high of 21C and a low of 17C overnight.

It will be a rainy weekend in Tauranga over the New Year, with showers kicking in on Saturday and easing on Tuesday, January 5. The sun reappears from behind the clouds on Wednesday, January 6.

Bay of Plenty:

NYE: Occasional showers, becoming isolated in the evening, northeast breezes.

A high of 23C and a low of 16C overnight.

NY: Cloudy periods with a few showers, easterlies.

A high of 20C and a low of 17C.

Showers expected throughout the first weekend of the year through to the Tuesday, January 5, when the sun begins to shine.

Coromandel:

NYE: Cloudy periods, with isolated showers in the east, easterlies developing.

A high of 24C and a low of 17C overnight.

NY: Showers, easterlies.

A high of 21C and a low of 16C overnight.

Showers expected throughout the first weekend of the year through to the Wednesday, January 6, when the sun begins to shine.

Auckland:

NYE: Mainly fine, chance of showers, easterly developing.

A high of 27C and a low of 18C overnight.

NY: Few showers, northeasterlies strengthening.

A high of 22C and a low of 18C.

Showers and rain expected throughout the first weekend of the year through to the Wednesday January 6, when the sun begins to shine.

By Corazon Miller for the NZ Herald