Temperatures reach into 30s in some regions

Pandora Pond was the place to cool off in Napier yesterday. Photo / Paul Taylor

Slip, slop, slap and wrap is the key message of the day, as soaring temperatures continue in many regions.

Christchurch was the hottest place to be, with a high of 32.8C yesterday. Although that brought a hot day, the highest temperature recorded in the city was in February 1973, when it hit an eye-watering 40C.

Blenheim was second-hottest, with a high of 31.1C, followed closely by Hastings, 31C, and other areas including Dunedin, which yesterday morning saw temperatures reach 24C.

The hot weather will continue this weekend for the Bay, reaching 30C tomorrow and 29C on Sunday.

The heat will be broken up with scattered showers about the ranges and some gusty northwesterlies in the afternoons.

MetService communications meteorologist Lisa Murray said tropical weather systems north of New Zealand had led to muggy and humid conditions.

"That's generally why we're having - especially in northern areas - this warm February.

"It's really the overnight temperatures that are contributing to that. We've had this really warm, humid air from these different systems in the tropics that have pushed this air down over [to us]."

Ms Murray said some places were seeing their long-term temperature average (which includes both day and overnight temperatures) on track to beat previous February records.

Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin were on track to beat their February long-term records. However, with a few days left in the month, including the extra 29th day on Monday, things could change for other places. NZME

High temperatures yesterday:

* Auckland: 24.3C

* Napier: 29C

* Hastings: 31C

* Hamilton: 25.9C

* Tauranga: 25.1C

* Wellington: 23.9C

* Christchurch: 32.8C (hottest in the country)

* Whangarei: 26C

* Rotorua: 24C

* Masterton: 30C

* Dunedin: 24.C

* Blenheim: 31.1C

* Gore: 14.9C (coolest in the country)