A ridge of high pressure is expected to bring fine but cloudy conditions to the Bay of Plenty this weekend.

The remnants of Cyclone Pam now lie well away to the east of New Zealand, leaving a cool southwesterly flow that has brought showers to parts of the country.

Some morning cloud is expected to give way to fine weather in the Bay of Plenty this weekend.

A ridge of high pressure has begun to build over the South Island, making for a chilly autumn morning inland.

MetService meteorologist Peter Little says the ridge spreads onto central New Zealand during Friday bringing clearing weather to most places, although a few showers linger in northern and eastern parts of the North Island.

Fine spells with morning cloud seems to be the theme for the Bay of Plenty leading into Monday, with some showers forecast for the region.

Peter says: 'The run of sunny days on the West Coast looks to come to an end as a northerly flow brings in cloud, along with patchy light rain or drizzle, on Friday.”

A trough approaching from the Tasman Sea is expected to bring rain to the west and south of the South Island on Saturday, with scattered falls for most other places by the end of the weekend.

Over the North Island it's looking mostly fine as the ridge remains strong.

'With a fine day expected, it will likely be raining fours and sixes at Wellington Regional Stadium on Saturday for New Zealand's World Cup quarter final against the West Indies,” adds Peter.