Rain won't cool off steaming hot summer days

Horses and sunlovers took over Takapuna Beach yesterday as the golden summer continued.

A large crowd gathered for the inaugural Beach Polo NZ Takapuna event which featured a case of international and local players going head to head.

And the North Shore beach is expected to be a popular destination for swimmers again today, with more sunny and warm conditions forecast.

Auckland is expected to reach the mid-20s, while Alexandra in the south was likely to be one of the hottest places in New Zealand, with temperatures expected around 30C.

While there was a possibility of an odd shower today, bad weather is definitely on its way on Sunday.

MetService meteorologist Ciaran Doolan said a second "more pronounced" front would make Sunday a wet day for many.

Rain in the bottom of the South Island was expected to spread to the west. Afternoon and evening showers were also set to hit the central and upper North Island including Auckland.

The rain would be a welcome for Tauranga where water restrictions were imposed for the first time in 17 years, from today.

Tauranga City Council city waters manager Steve Burton said despite it only being the start of summer, the early onset of hot and dry weather and growing population meant water supply was under increasing pressure.