How to stretch out your summer

West isn't necessarily best for sunseekers this month. MetService forecaster Bob Lake saying holidaymakers should hit the east coast - but be prepared for the odd day of rain.

"It looks like some of the best places to be will be around the middle of the country, the east of the South Island and the east of the North Island," he said.

"Much of the North Island will get a dose of rain around Tuesday and Wednesday, but it should improve on Thursday and Friday."

After that a high should move in, meaning next weekend looks settled, particularly for the North Island.

Lake expects a series of highs in late January to keep most of the country warm and dry, apart from occasional rain on one or two days.

That's great news for holiday- makers in Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and the Coromandel Peninsula, which should all get sunshine and little rain.

"The only place where it might be a bit dodgy is in the Far North, where there will be quite a lot of easterly winds, which could bring showers through that region, " Lake said.

The rest of the month would probably be "reasonably warm", with most places falling in the mid-20s.

Canterbury and Marlborough have been experiencing the highest temperatures this summer, up to 32C, and they would continue to be hot throughout January.

But whatever the weather, there could be problems finding somewhere to enjoy it. Campsites and holiday parks around the country are full, so workers planning weekend getaways are advised to book ahead.

Some space may come free over the coming weeks, but many holiday parks are booked until the end of January as families make the most of school holidays.

Baches are scarce until the end of January, while Top 10 Holiday Parks Group operations manager Keri Gibson said most of its sites were full for at least the next fortnight.

While camping spots traditionally became free from mid-January, Gibson said units and caravan sites tended to stay booked until school begins at the start of February.

Even then space can be tight, as international tourists start arriving.

But Gibson said there might be the occasional opening, and advised holiday-seekers to ring their preferred park to check for gaps.

"If someone is wanting to stay at a certain place, there may be a couple of dates available."

Things aren't much different in Auckland, said manager of the city's i-site centre Chanthara Sinclair. "Hotels, motels [and] campsites are all nearly fully booked. People should book before they arrive.
source:http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10485407