The Matariki star cluster will be visible on New Zealand's eastern horizon just before dawn. Photo: Quin Tauetau
People hoping to catch a glimpse of the Matariki stars over the long weekend will have the best chance on the East Coast.
The star cluster will be visible on New Zealand's eastern horizon just before dawn.
NIWA's cloud cover forecast showed Eastern regions such as Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa, and the lower North Island, along with parts of the upper and eastern South Island, can expect clearer skies than other regions.
Meteorologist Chris Brandolino said stargazers could check the cloud cover forecast on Vimeo, which would be updated at 3.30pm each day for the following morning.
Brandolino said the east of the South Island would get the best views.
"As you get farther to the north of Dunedin, over toward Timaru, Oamaru, Christchurch and farther north toward perhaps even Kaikōura, there will be some pretty good viewing conditions."
He said there were actions people could take to get a better view.
"If you can find an area where there's no street lights or a lack of street lights - or maybe take a 10 minute drive to where you're a bit more removed from the urban areas."
Forecast by region:
Upper North Island (including Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Coromandel Peninsula)
- Early Friday morning: Mostly cloudy with showers possible. Showers most likely over Northland and the Coromandel. Temperatures ranging from 11-13C in Whangārei and Auckland, to 7-9C for the interior Waikato (eg Hamilton).
- Early Saturday morning: Variable cloud cover, ie, at times partly cloudy, other times mostly cloudy. Threat for scattered showers, mainly for the Auckland and Waikato regions. Best chances for ideal viewing conditions likely over eastern Northland and the Coromandel. Temperatures ranging from 10-12C in Whangārei and Auckland, to 7-9C for the interior Waikato (eg Hamilton).
East Coast (including Gisborne, Napier, Wairarapa)
- Early Friday morning: Cloud cover looks to gradual thin in the lead up to sunrise. A few showers possible, especially Tairāwhiti/Gisborne. Temperatures ranging from 6-9C.
- Early Saturday morning: Partly cloudy, with overall for most, favourable viewing conditions likely. Temperatures ranging from 8-11C.
Western North Island (including New Plymouth, Whanganui)
- Early Friday morning: Cloud will likely have the upper-hand. Threat for a few showers. Temperature between 9-11C.
- Early Saturday morning: Cloud will likely have the upper-hand. Threat for a few showers. Temperature between 6-8C.
Lower North Island (including Wellington)
- Early Friday morning: Generally ideal viewing conditions with clear to partly cloudy skies. Temperature between 10-11C.
- Early Saturday morning: Generally ideal viewing conditions with clear to partly cloudy skies. Temperature between 7-9C.
Upper South Island (including Nelson, Blenheim)
- Early Friday morning: Variable cloud cover, so viewing conditions are likely to range. Temperature between 5-7C.
- Early Saturday morning: Generally ideal viewing conditions with clear to partly cloudy skies. Temperature between 3-5C.
Eastern South Island (including Christchurch, Timaru)
- Early Friday morning: Generally ideal viewing conditions with clear to partly cloudy skies. Temperature from 8-10C.
- Early Saturday morning: Variable cloud cover, so viewing conditions are likely to range. Temperature from 6-8 degrees C.
West Coast (including Greymouth, Hokitika)
- Early Friday morning: Variable cloud cover, so viewing conditions are likely to range. Showers are likely to be around. Breezy, with a temperature around 8-9C.
- Early Saturday morning: Ideal conditions likely Hokitika/southwards, with more cloud likely farther north. Temperatures around 4-6C.
Lakes Region (including Queenstown, Wanaka)
- Early Friday morning: Cloud is likely to have the upper-hand for most locations. Showers are likely to be around. Breezy with a temperature around 5-6C.
- Early Saturday morning: Variable cloud cover, so viewing conditions are likely to range. Temperature around 4-5C.
Lower South Island (including Dunedin, Invercargill)
- Early Friday morning: Cloud is likely to have the upper-hand for Southland areas (eg Invercargill/Gore) with showers around. Eastern Otago and Dunedin is more likely to have less cloud and favourable viewing conditions. Breezy, with a temperature between 8-10C.
- Early Saturday morning: Cloud is likely to have the upper-hand with less than ideal viewing conditions. Threat for a shower or two. Temperature between 8-10C.
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