After a sunny Easter weekend, the good weather continues into Monday and Tuesday, with a ridge of high pressure lying over the North Island.

A north to northwest flow is developing over the South Island.

"There is minimal risk of severe weather affecting New Zealand," says a MetService spokesperson.

On Wednesday April 3, the ridge of high pressure is expected to move to the east of the North Island.

A trough of low pressure over the Tasman Sea will be moving eastwards to reach the southwest of the South Island on Wednesday evening. This trough is expected to bring rain and strengthening northwest winds to parts of the south of the South Island.

"There is low confidence that north to northwest winds may become severe for a time about southern Fiordland, the southwest of Southland and Stewart Island."

As the week heads into Thursday, this trough of low pressure is forecast to move northwards over the South Island during the day, reaching the lower part of the North Island in the evening.

Rain in a northwest flow will precede the trough, while showers in a south to southwest flow are expected to spread over the South Island following the passage of the trough.

"There is low confidence for warning amounts of rain in the west of the South Island for Westland, Buller and the west of the Tasman District."

On Friday, April 5, the trough is set to move northwards over the North Island, bringing a period of rain to regions in the island, although significant accumulations of rain look unlikely at this time. A ridge of high pressure will be developing over the South Island.

"There is minimal risk of severe weather affecting New Zealand," says a MetService spokesperson.