High temperatures will persist for much of New Zealand after many centres in the North Island were pushed towards heat records today.
MetService forecaster Samkelo Magwala told the Herald temperatures tomorrow were forecast to remain on the hotter side particularly in the North Island.
“Heat alerts have been issued for most parts in the east and for the north of the North Island,” he said.
Continuing to be among the hottest North Island cities tomorrow: Hastings and Kerikeri are expected to reach 29C, Napier and Whakatāne expected to reach 28C, and Whitianga 27C.
But in the South Island, temperatures will drop further among today’s hot spots with Kaikōura forecast for 20C, Christchurch and Timaru 19C, Ashburton 18C, and Ōamaru 21C.
Magwala said a front currently across the top of the South Island would move towards the bottom of the North Island overnight.
Temperatures are still on their way up, but here's a selection of some of the highest temperatures and strongest wind gusts we've seen today so far ♨️💨 pic.twitter.com/BRP7k0p15g
— MetService NZ (@MetService) January 11, 2026
“The rain behind it in the South Island will be easing and reducing in the North Island, mainly in the lower parts and the central parts,” he said.
“There is nothing heavy, just a few isolated showers.”
A strong wind warning is currently in place for the Tararua District, Wairarapa and Wellington until 4am, while a strong wind watch for the Hawke’s Bay is forecast to begin at 11pm until 6am.
Magwala said the top half of the North Island would remain mainly fine, apart from one or two showers in Northland for the afternoon.
Two houses on a rural Hawkes Bay road were also evacuated this afternoon after a vegetation fire broke out nearby.
Fire and Emergency NZ said crews received a call about the blaze on Waitara Rd at approximately 5.40pm.
“We sent six rural trucks, one command unit, three urban trucks and two tankers,” a shift manager said.
“The fire is 25ha of mature pine and native, and is not currently contained.
“Two houses on Bell Rock Rd have been evacuated, and three helicopters are planning to return tomorrow, and forestry crews are currently on the way.”
Earlier today, Hawke’s Bay led the national high with temperatures reaching 36.4C in Napier while nearby Hastings sat at 36.2C this afternoon. Gisborne also hit 33.2C.
Christchurch climbed to 31.2C, while both Whangārei and Tauranga fell just shy of 30C with highs hovering around 29C.
Auckland had steady heat throughout the da,y rising to around 26C this afternoon, reaching its usual January peak temperature.
In the South Island, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said contractors were called in to clear fallen trees on State Highway 94 near Milford Sound, SH74 in Canterbury and SH6 on the West Coast. Motorists are being warned to expect delays.
A large mudslide has closed SH73 on the West Coast between Otira and Arthur’s Pass Village.
NZTA said contractors were on-site at the slip, east of Arthur’s Pass and working to remove enough debris to clear it.
In Amberley, fire crews responded to a gorse fire.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson said the fire, about 80m by 50m, has been contained and is being tackled by ground crews. A helicopter was considered but conditions were deemed too windy.
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