It's the news we all want to hear - Santa is going to bring sun for Christmas.

NIWA says the high pressure systems which are bringing settled and sunny conditions to many parts of the country during today's summer solstice, are expected to hang around.

It says a ridge to the east of the country will bring a warm northerly flow over the country during Christmas and Boxing Day.

However, NIWA says there is a threat of some patchy showers about Manawatu-Wanganui over Christmas and the west coast of the South Island on Boxing Day.