Hawke's Bay is setting the bar high in the first week of summer.
Not only was the region the hottest place to be in New Zealand over the weekend, it is also set to have the hottest day this week.
Metservice meteorologist Claire Flynn said although Gisborne took out the highest temperature in the country yesterday with 25.3C, Hastings had the third highest with 24.4C, followed by Wairoa at 23.3C, and Napier airport reaching 23C.
Waipukurau residents basked in a 22C heat.
"In terms of regions, Hawke's Bay has been the hottest," Ms Flynn said.
To cool off, residents escaped to swimming pools or enjoyed ice-creams - heralding a busy summer season to come.
The numbers visiting Ocean Spa had been picking up as summer drew nearer, but yesterday an employee said there had been more people coming for a dip than usual.
Down on Marine Parade, Gelato 2U owner Toru Yamamoto was kept busy as residents, and cruise ship visitors enjoyed the chilled goods on offer.
"When it's hotter, more customers come," he said.
There had been a number of people through his shop, signalling a taste of what to expect as school-holiday time approached.
In Hastings, crowds flocked to Splash Planet. However, manager Peran Hutchings said the 1100 people who enjoyed the park on Saturday was a bit "quieter" than usual.
Although this weekend was slower, staff were also gearing up for the busy period from boxing day, to the end of January.
Yesterday was dampened by a few showers inland, with light winds and afternoon sea breezes.
Aside from a cooler day today, temperatures were expected to remain high in the 20s this week, with only light winds and a scattering of rain on the horizon.
Today, Ms Flynn said temperatures were "looking a bit cooler", with an expected high of 20C. After cloudy periods and a few showers this morning, there could be some showers about the ranges, with some heavy in thunderstorms this afternoon.
Things would pick up tomorrow, with a high of 27C expected. Although showers are anticipated, they are due to clear early in the morning to become fine. Some isolated showers could return in the evening, with northerlies developing.
With a fine day, and clear skies forecast for Wednesday, Ms Flynn said the high of 29C was expected to be the warmest day for the country this week.
Although the heat would continue on Thursday, with an expected high of 25C, a front would bring scattered rain. Fine spells were forecast for Friday, with afternoon and evening showers about the ranges, southerlies dying out and northerlies developing.