Blazing heat sent locals splashing into water yesterday, as Hawke's Bay recorded the hottest temperatures in the country.
By 10am yesterday, Metservice meteorologist Claire Flynn said Hastings had already reached 25C, and Napier 26C.
Although the twin cities were both expected to get to 31C yesterday, only Napier reached this peak, with the highest temperature recorded at Hawke's Bay Airport of 31.2C.
Crowds escaped the heat to Ocean Beach, leading to the beach's "busiest day so far".
Ocean Beach Kiwi SLSC head guard Andy Callinicos said at its peak, there had been about 1000 people enjoying the beach between 12pm and 2pm.
"It's been a scorcher," he said. "The beach has been quite busy, all the car parks were full".
"People were being really good and swimming between the flags, we're really pleased with how the public have been today."
Others stayed closer to home, seeking solace at the A W Parsons Indoor Heated Pool in Waipukurau.
After being open for only four hours, Aqua Management managing director Michelle Hayes said yesterday had been busier than any in the lead-up to Christmas.
She thought families enjoyed all that was on offer at the pools, and the nearby Russell Park - which featured a splash pad, and playground.
In Napier, people cooled down at the Lick This! Ice cream Parlour, which recently re-opened in the new Bay Skate complex.
Co-owner of the Marine Parade store Caroline Manning said they had been "extremely busy" yesterday.
However the wind proved too much for some looking to escape the heat.
Westshore Surf Life Saving Club patrol captain Tarsh Brewer said while lots of people had spent the day at the beach, there had not been as many as on Boxing Day as "the wind is keeping people away".
Yesterday a severe weather warning had been put in place by Metservice for south of Hastings, with westerlies rising to severe gale, and gusts of 120km/hr in exposed places.
By yesterday afternoon however the warning had been downgraded for Hawke's Bay, with the highest gust recorded at 60km/hr at Takapau plains.
The wind was ahead of a front expected to move north over New Zealand today - aside from wind, it was thought Hawke's Bay would not be impacted.