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Thousands flocked to northern beaches to enjoy a baking New Year's Day after forecast showers did not eventuate.
More than 35,000 people gathered at beaches in surf lifesaving's northern region, which runs from the Far North to Raglan.
The number of people on the beaches kept lifeguards busy - many said it was the busiest day they had experienced.
Forty-seven rescues were made throughout the region - nearly half of them at Piha.
At Long Bay on the North Shore, a queue of cars stretched for more than 2km on to Beach Rd at 3pm.
Temperatures in most northern centres are tipped to stay in the high 20s over the next few days, though showers and high humidity are expected.
Cloud and a high of 26C are expected in Auckland today, climbing to 27C tomorrow.
Similar temperatures and conditions are expected in Tauranga and Hamilton over the next 48 hours. Whangarei can expect a muggy 28C tomorrow.
The sun is expected to return to all four centres on Sunday.
Yesterday's Auckland sun proved too tempting for Jamie Armstrong, 23, a nursing student on a backpacking holiday from Scotland. She ditched her plans for a city tour and had a day's sunbathing at Takapuna Beach instead.
"I've just called my folks back home, where it's freezing, and they can't believe that I'm in my bikini, on the beach, enjoying the sun. It's just great."
Picnickers at Wenderholm Beach on the Hibiscus Coast were seen not only enjoying standard Kiwi barbecue fare but also Indian curry, Korean kimchi and rice and Japanese raw fish with soya sauce.