The MetService is forecasting colder temperatures and showery conditions for parts of New Zealand, but it looks like a different story for the Bay of Plenty.

Showers are forecast for tomorrow before the sun returns to the region for the rest of the week.

A high is set to return to the Bay this weekend.

Daily highs are expected to remain around the 24 degree mark, with overnight lows ranging from 11 to 17 degrees.

'Heading into the weekend, the showers look set to become more isolated as higher pressure builds over from the west,” says MetService meteorologist John Law.

It's been a week of fluctuating temperatures with maximums into the 30s for many spots, but the change in wind direction has heralded unseasonal weather for some.

'Looking at temperatures on Thursday morning it's hard to believe we are in summer,” says John.

'Minimum temperatures at Christchurch fell to 3C - almost 25C less than their maximum on Wednesday.”

The cooler temperatures have also resulted in some wintry weather, with reports of snowfall about some of the higher roads in Fiordland.

Southwesterly winds are set to continue into Waitangi Day bringing a scattering of showers and a cooler feeling throughout Friday.

At Te Tii Marae in Waitangi the showers are likely to be few and far between, with the showers clearing for the rest of the weekend.

Temperatures are forecast to reach 24C in the Bay of Islands. Showers are in the forecasts for many locations on Waitangi Day, especially those exposed to the south, but these should become more isolated with more fine and settled conditions returning for the weekend.

Friday also marks the start of the Wellington Sevens, with cool blustery southwesterlies bringing the chance of an early shower on Friday, but much of the day looks fine, albeit cooler than of late.

The odd shower is possible for the late night revellers into Saturday morning, but fine weather returns for Saturday with the winds turning northwesterly in the evening.

Over the Rimutaka Range in Martinborough, the weather looks good for the fair. There is a chance of an early shower on Saturday, but much of the day is set to be fine and dry with light winds picking up in the evening.