Weather: Sweltering summer continues for New Zealand with North Island climbing past 30C

Temperatures could exceed 30C in some areas across New Zealand, with heat alerts possible for the eastern parts of the country.

MetService forecaster Juliane Bergdolt told the Herald the high-pressure system over NZ would bring fine weather during the next two days.

She said the sizzling temperatures were forecast to continue for the eastern parts of the North Island.

Many of you will have already felt high temperatures over the weekend 🔥🌞, and they are set to persist through the week.

Temperatures are expected to stick in the mid to high twenties 🌡️ for many regions, supported by sunshine ☀️, relatively stable air, and higher-than-normal… pic.twitter.com/5WlcPJdxIt

— MetService NZ (@MetService) December 8, 2025

“We’re looking at maximum temperatures of high 20s and early 30s, particularly Masterton, which is moving into the 30s for the next few days.

“Same with Hastings and inland North Island, places like Taumarunui are looking at 30C today and 29C the day after.”

Auckland is forecast to reach 28C today, followed by 27C tomorrow.

“The whole of the North Island will be really quite warm,” Bergdolt said.

According to the MetService website, Hamilton is forecast to hit a high of 29C, with Rotorua reaching 27C.

😎 It's going to be a dry Tuesday nearly everywhere across NZ, although the central North Island may see isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms.

🌡️ Warmer than average temperatures will be widespread once again. pic.twitter.com/xEGoaWlw5J

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) December 8, 2025

In the Coromandel, Whangamatā is forecast to see a high of 28C while Taupō in the centre of the North Island could reach 27C.

In the South Island, the highs for Christchurch, Blenheim and Kaikōura are also expected to range from the high 20s to low 30s.

According to MetService, Blenheim is forecast to reach a high of 29C while the garden city could see 27C.

However, Bergdolt told the Herald overnight temperatures would drop to the mid-teens.

“Around 13C to 15C for most. The only one standing out is Napier which would fall to about 17C.”

She said Masterton residents should keep an eye out a heat alert was issued.

“Other parts of the country are just on the border and haven’t hit the benchmarks we use to issue a heat alert.”

The Earth Sciences NZ Seasonal Climate Outlook for December 2025-February 2026 released last week reported Kiwis were in for a sweltering, dry start to summer.

However, a dramatic shift threatens to bring a wet end to the season for the upper north.

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