Bay of Plenty residents can look forward to a weekend of sunny weather.

New Zealanders across the nation are being promised a return to the summer and a stunner of a weekend.

MetService says dry and sunny conditions can be expected throughout the weekend and into Monday, with a ridge of high pressure parked over

A high of 27 degrees is being reported for Tauranga on Saturday.

'Thanks to a persistent high, summer conditions have returned across Aotearoa,” explains MetService meteorologist Ashlee Parkes.

'It looks like everyone will be dry and predominately cloud free this weekend, although some light drizzle is forecast for coastal Fiordland on Saturday and Sunday.”

Light winds will accompany the fine conditions in the Bay of Plenty region.

Nationwide, only Wellington is likely to experience stronger winds, with moderate northerlies blowing from the Cook Strait throughout Friday.

After a cool night into Friday morning temperatures are expected to return to their monthly average on Friday, making for a warm weekend.

'Areas around Central Otago and the Wairarapa will see daily maximum temperatures pushing into the late 20s,” says Ashlee.

'It really will be a stunner weekend for most.”