Poll: New Zealand summer needs to be hotter

Summer has been running hot and cold for New Zealanders.

A WeatherWatch poll has found 54 per cent of New Zealanders want "many more" hot days or say that it doesn't even feel like summer.

But another 38 per cent say summer has been hot enough so far with an additional 9 per cent saying it has been okay but could be a bit hotter.

Warren Dravitski with son Lars aged 6 at Grey Lynn Park during Rock The Park. Photo / Doug Sherring

WeatherWatch's Philip Duncan says New Zealand has seen some very hot and dry weather lately, but about half of the country is missing out or wants a lot more.

The western coastline, from Taranaki to Fiordland, had seen a lot of rain, cooler weather has affected Southland and Otago, and it's been windy in Wellington.

The good news, said Duncan, is more summer-like weather is on the way for western and southern areas, and Wellington can expect more calm days.

"Hopefully the second half of February will see more heat across New Zealand while some of the hot eastern areas see a few more 'refreshing' days.

"Next week, some parts of Hawkes Bay and Gisborne region will again reach 35C, however later next week the highs tumble to the low to mid 20s there," Duncan said.

He said the tropics north of New Zealand are also firing up now - with low pressure forming north of the country over the next week.

The models are conflicted about how deep a potential low may be and if New Zealand will be impacted, but often the lows forming north of the country can drag in more heat plus humidity, even if they don't directly come to our country.