An interesting weather pattern lining up for the weekend and into next week, with several low pressure systems developing to the NW and west of New Zealand. We also have an intense high pressure system sitting to the SE with a good squash zone that will send a lot of swell for the east coast of NZ through the weekend until the end of next week.

So we are looking at swell for everyone this weekend, with the west coast lining up to deliver some real nice waves with offshores on Saturday and Sunday. The SE airflow will hamper surface conditions for the east coast of NZ, with onshores throughout. 

Northland

Swell for both coasts this weekend, with a rising ESE swell for NE spots that will peak on Sunday in the 3-5ft range. Winds will be onshore easterlies all weekend however, so wave quality will not be the best.

West Coast spots should fire all weekend, with the SW swell (12 secs) peaking on Saturday morning and slowly easing through to Monday. Offshores are forecast all weekend, so pick your spot.

Auckland West Coast

An awesome weekend of waves lining up, with 3-5ft of SW swell on for Saturday and then easing slightly on Sunday in the 3-4ft range (SW 11 secs). Winds will be offshore all weekend, with a light NE breeze for tomorrow morning tending more east in the afternoon and through Sunday.

Coromandel and BOP

Swell on for the weekend, with a wrapping ESE swell (11 secs) hitting and surf in the 2-3ft range for the Mount. It will be bigger the further north you head, so some Coro spots will be seeing sets hitting 4ft - winds are going to be the issue however, flicking between the E, NE and SE on both days. It won’t get too strong though, so there could be some fun onshore conditions to be had on the right tides.

Gisborne

We finally have some decent swell hitting this weekend, with the existing south swell building through today and then angling more SE tomorrow morning. Both days should see surf in the 5-6ft range with onshore SE winds blowing right through. The wind won’t get super strong though, so it will be surfable with the cleanest conditions most likely tomorrow morning. There is going to be swell all week with a predominant SE airflow right through to Wednesday.

Taranaki

There will be pockets of fun waves to be had this weekend, with 2-3ft of swell for most Highway spots both days (SW 10 secs). The wind is looking a little unpredictable, but tomorrow morning should see a light offshore early, tending more southerly in the afternoon. Sunday should see a light easterly early, swinging more SSE in the afternoon.

Wellington and Wairarapa

The swell is going to drop right away for the city beaches over the next 24 hours as the high pressure system moves more to the east. This will send more swell for the Wairarapa, with the surf building throughout tomorrow and into Sunday - sets should reach 4ft tomorrow and then 5ft on Sunday. Winds are forecast NE tomorrow and then tending more east on Sunday, so early tomorrow morning is your best chance of a wave this weekend.

Titahi Bay and the Kapiti Coast are looking micro, with no swell forecast.

Kaikoura and Christchurch

There is swell on the way for the weekend, with the current south swell easing back tomorrow and then a new pulse from the east kicking in tomorrow night. South exposed breaks will have a small wave tomorrow in the 1.5-2ft range with NE winds forecast all day. Sunday will see very solid conditions with 5ft+ sets hitting and once again winds will be from the NE, so there won’t be too many options.

Dunedin

An easing south swell and building east swell for the weekend, with 2-3ft surf on for tomorrow and then 4ft sets on Sunday. The wind is going to blow from the NE both days, so surface conditions aren’t looking the best for the spots that will pick up most of the swell.