Planning a day in the sun this Labour weekend? Saturday's the day.

NIWA forecasts show a high pressure system will be at its best on the first day of the long weekend.

Forecaster Chris Brandolino says with the exception of a few showers from Gisborne to Wairarapa, it's looking good from Cape Reinga to the Bluff.

"Pretty dry and pretty sunny, a high pressure will be overhead but eventually the high's going to move away for a pretty strong cold front, we believe, by Sunday."

But Chris Brandolino says Labour Day itself will likely be wet in the north, and cold in the south.