New Year to be met with average weather conditions for Hawke's Bay
With much of the year bringing wet weather, people celebrating the New Year in Hawkes Bay will be met with average conditions.
MetService Meteorologist John Law says the lead-up to the New Year is looking like one of the best with plenty of sunshine and highs of 24C.
Despite the promise of good weather, people across the district should remain aware that the weather can change.
“We are set to see the winds turn a touch more easterly over the next few days which is likely to bring some cloudier conditions into Hawke's Bay and perhaps even the odd shower, although most of these will be up in the ranges," Law says.
The weather plays a major role for those planning their summer holiday, but also for those who run small businesses in popular holiday destinations around the region.
Regardless of what the weather brings, it won't dampen the spirits of local Porangahau dairy owner Piri Galbraith, who explains that the summer conditions and New Year's celebrations bring a lot of people into the already thriving community.
Having owned the dairy for four years alongside her husband they are well aware of preparing for the influx of holidaymakers into the community
“We’ve had so much rain and it hasn't been that hot and we were a bit anxious about what's going to happen over the peak season, so Christmas through to about the fifth, sixth of January, but so far it's been full on every day."
The increase of people in the Porangahau community over this period means that the dairy has to carefully manage deliveries in order to keep shoppers happy.
“We have to manage that to a T, it has to be on point to make sure we’ve got enough stock to get through the days where they’re not going to deliver."
Dairy owner Piri Galbraith. Photo/Michaela Gower.
Both holidaymakers and locals can get a great taste of Porangahu with their famous homemade pies.
“We have a pretty awesome selection of Kai here. We make our own Paua pies, the mussel chowder pies, which just fly out the door every morning."
With their aim to “keep it real” and for the dairy to be the hub of the community the team is very helpful and great at keeping up with the demand of increased customers.
“We are well known for our generous ice cream scoops,” Galbraith says.
Porangahau is a popular summer holiday destination known for its beaches, and like many others, Bobby Joe and Rocky Butler have chosen to spend part of New Year's day in the area.
Campers Bobby-Joe and Ricky Butler. Photo/Michaela Gower.
Having arrived on their Motor Bikes, the couple set up camp in the freedom campground at Te Paerahi beach.
“We’ve only just got here, but we’ve seen it as we’ve been coming down the coast, nice beaches, and it looks like it’s going to be nice to go out there for a walk,” says Butler.
As many will be swimming at local beaches, Law says the sea surface temperature is around 20C at the moment in Hawke Bay "which is higher than average for the time of year".
However, with the ever-changing conditions advised keeping a close eye on the tides and weather when heading out to the beach.
Napier City Council will be hosting an event with live music and fireworks on New Year's eve at the Soundshell kicking off at 7pm.
There will be two viewing times for the fireworks the first at 9.45pm and the second viewing at midnight.
