This was also the third-highest historical temperature recorded for the town for any month.
Whitianga equalled its highest January temperature on Sunday with 30.6C.
Napier Airport reached 36.3C, the second highest January temperature on record and an all-time top five temperature for that station.
Looking ahead, the MetService said temperatures ease back to more typical January levels this week.
Warm spots include inland Waikato and Hawke’s Bay which reach temperatures in the high-20s.
Tauranga temperatures were forecast to sit around 24C for most of the week.
In Rotorua, temperatures were predicted to fluctuate between 22C and 24C.
A few showers were expected to creep across both regions on Tuesday before two days of rain on Thursday and Friday as a low pressure system crosses the country.
“At this early stage, Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury and eastern Otago look likely to get the largest share of the rain this week,” MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said.
The associated cloud and rain bring a noticeable cool-down over the eastern South Island from Thursday into the weekend, creating a very different feel compared to the past weekend.
Temperatures were expected to sit in the mid to upper teens, with places like Ashburton dropping from around 21C on Wednesday to closer to 16C for the rest of the week.
“For many people, it’s a return to routine this week, but there are still opportunities to make the most of the long summer afternoons.
“But with rain on the cards for most of the country later this week, it’ll be worth staying across the forecast as the week unfolds.”
