Clear skies in the north, but possible thunderstorms in the south

It's a tale of two Islands weather-wise for tonight's New Year's Eve celebrations.

Metservice meteorologist Tui McInnes says it could be a soggy evening for those on the West Coast and east coast of the South Island.

He says there's also the risk of thunderstorms in inland Canterbury, Northern Otago and the High Country.

But things are looking better for revellers in the North Island, with the East Coast looking particularly stunning.

He says Hawkes Bay, Gisborne and Bay of Plenty look like the places to be.