Tauranga is gearing up for a settled stretch of weather from today.

A broad ridge of high pressure settles over the country and keeps conditions calm across much of the North Island.

From today, residents can expect plenty of fine, dry weather, with long sunny spells becoming the theme of the week.

While a little patchy cloud may drift through at times, the ridge sitting over the Tasman and across the country will do most of the heavy lifting — holding rain at bay and delivering classic late‑March conditions ideal for outdoor plans.

“While much of the North Island can expect settled weather under high pressure, a weakening front will move up the South Island midweek, bringing periods of rain to many areas, especially in the west,” MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden said.

“Fiordland is under a watch for heavy rain late Tuesday to Wednesday morning.”

Later in the week, a low-pressure system tracking past the Far North may brush Tairāwhiti Gisborne and northern Hawke’s Bay with cloud and occasional rain on Thursday.

For Tauranga, however, the influence looks limited, forecasters saying the chance of significant impacts remains very low.

Overall, Tauranga can expect a bright, mostly settled week, with sunshine outshining the incoming southern rainmakers — perfect timing for locals and visitors making the most of the region’s late‑summer warmth.