People shouldn't hold their breath for sunshine on Christmas.

There'll be a mixture of muggy and wet days as people travel in the lead up to the 25th.

But MetService Forecaster Heath Gullery told Tim Dower the big day is looking overwhelmingly rainy, with exceptions for the east coasts of the North and South islands.

He says it's likely to be warm and rainy in central and northern New Zealand.

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