The last time Hawke's Bay was this hot in October, the Holidaymakers, U2 and Billy Ocean were the hottest artists in New Zealand.
Napier on Thursday steamed under 29.1 degrees Celsius, the warmest recorded October temperature since 1988, MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said.
Hastings was not far behind, with 27.6C recorded just before 2pm.
Afterschool and after-work activities took a swing in the beachside or poolside direction, as temperatures reached the warmest in the country.
Makgabutlane said at midnight on Tuesday the overnight temperature was 19.6C in Napier, above the city's average daytime October temperature of 19C.