Don't pack away the T-shirts or sunscreen just yet. The unseasonal golden sunshine and warm temperatures of a potentially record-breaking autumn are set to continue until the start of next month, the official start of the Kiwi winter.
Temperatures in the early 20s were common around New Zealand yesterday. Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch enjoyed 22C, Napier 21C, and Wellington peaked at 19C.
MetService meteorologist Claire Flynn said Kiwis should get used to the warm autumn, as the sun and heat were expected to stick around for several weeks yet.
"It's looking to be warm all week, and the rest of May," Flynn said.
"Nationwide, many places in the upper North Island are getting into the 20s and then it's late teens in the lower North Island. The South Island is also experiencing warm weather in the early 20s.