A place in the sun arrives at last for Wellingtonians
WELLINGTON is enjoying an Easter flirtation with the sun.
Fine, mild weather bathed the capital on Good Friday, with people grabbing a last chance to head to the beach or plan a picnic.
Steve Walters took time out from his role as Hertz Sevens general manager yesterday and headed to Lyall Bay with his daughter Esme, 4, to build water canals in the sand.
It was a ‘‘gorgeous’’ day, he said. ‘‘I didn’t expect it to be that good. It was fantastic to be outside.’’
Elsewhere, hundreds took the chance to have a stroll on Oriental Parade, though few were brave enough for a swim.
Metservice forecaster Geoff Sanders said temperatures in the capital reached 17 degrees Celsius, with 18.3C in Wairarapa.
The fine weather was due to a high sitting over southern and central New Zealand, Mr Sanders said.
It should bring mainly fine weather until the Easter break was over on Tuesday, when rain was expected.
Rain eased over Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay, with Napier recording a high of 20C.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand urged Kiwis to stay safe in the water during the long weekend.
Beach patrols will end for the year after Easter.
Surf Lifeguards have rescued 979 people this summer.
Rescue numbers were well down on previous years, Surf Life Saving programmes and services manager Brett Sullivan said.
He put the decrease down to fewer beach-goers during summer because of inclement weather, the Rena disaster and the Christchurch earthquakes.
‘‘The inconsistent weather patterns we’ve experienced this summer means we’ve basically seen fewer people enjoying our coastline.’’