Sunscreen and a fan will be top items on the long weekend packing list as peak summer temperatures heat up the Bay of Plenty.
Tauranga was expecting a scorching weekend with 29C and 30C days from Friday through to Monday.
Over the hill and Rotorua and Whakatāne were also forecast to bake with temperatures ranging from 27C to 30C throughout the long weekend.
Metservice meteorologist Andy Best said a ridge of high pressure was making its way around the top of the North Island on Friday, creating the hot temperatures.
Bay of Plenty cities could expect heat 5C and 6C above-average temperatures for this time of year, he said.