New Year's Eve weather: It's looking brighter for North Island

Christmas Day was wet and miserable for most parts of the North Island - but that's all going to change in the lead-up to New Year's Eve.

The wet weather wreaked havoc across the country on Tuesday, with flooding causing trouble for travellers north of Auckland trying to get into the city.

State Highway 16 at Kaukapakapa was closed near Kahikatea Flat Rd, and slightly further north, the same highway near West Coast Rd had been inundated with water.

But that's all about to change in the coming days, according to MetService meteorologist Gerrit Keyser, who says the North Island's in for some sunny days.

"That nasty low that's caused all the trouble for us, that's to the east of us now, and we are getting a high pressure stepping in which is good news," Mr Keyser told Newshub on Wednesday.

He said there will be "warm, dry weather almost everywhere".

MetService confirmed on Twitter that the weather should improve for the North Island, but it said the South Island will get "a bit of cloudy and wet weather".

The high pressure that's giving the North Island a break from the rain won't be serving the South Island so well, says Mr Keyser.

"In short, there will be a high pressure dominating over the next three days [in the north] and then down south will get some rain and that could stick around until New Year's."

New Year's Eve will see eastern parts of the North Island get cloud and some rain, but most of the North Island will have fine weather, he said.

"I think where the populated areas are it won't be too bad - just cloud hanging around.

"For Auckland and Northland, even down to Taranaki, the weather should be quite good - partly cloudy with afternoon showers but nothing like we've had on 24th and 25th."

Down south, however, he said there's a cold front that's heading towards Dunedin and Invercargill.

"It looks like Dunedin could get some rain and Invercargill."

From there it could depend on how fast the system propagates north. Mr Keyser said the low might also affect Christchurch, but he cannot be sure.

"This is a rough idea."

Newshub.