The Bay of Plenty's long hot summer looks set to continue, with the chance of a few light showers the only blip on another sunny week.

The Metservice forecasts southwesterly change for the country today, bringing showers and a sharp drop in temperatures for many areas, but more settled weather returns from tomorrow as high pressure builds from the west.

The Metservice forecasts sun and temperatures between 24 and 26 degrees later this week.

MetService meteorologist Emma Blades says most of the South Island will receive some rain today, as will the lower half of the North Island.

However, the front is set to weaken as it moves northwards, and the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Auckland, Coromandel and Northland are likely to receive only a few light showers.

The Bay of Plenty is expected to receive these showers tomorrow morning before sunshine and temperatures of 24-26 degrees dominate the rest of the week.

An area of high pressure brings settled weather from Tuesday, with fine weather is forecast for most of the country, although cloud hangs on to the eastern parts of the North Island and Northland, as well as the far south.

While much of the country should remain dry through the middle of the week, occasional showers will linger for parts of Gisborne and Hawke's Bay through the next few days, says Emma.

In the wake of the front, strong winds will also ease over much of New Zealand going into tomorrow, although a fresh southeasterly flow develops over Northland and Auckland tomorrow morning, and is expected to persist for the next few days.

On Thursday, all eyes will be on Christchurch where the opening ceremony of the Cricket World Cup will take place in Hagley Park. The forecast is set to be warm and fine, with temperatures reaching the high 20s in the afternoon.