Auckland's hottest recorded temperature is 32.4 on February 12, 2009, at Whenuapai Air Base, equalling a high recorded in the Auckland Domain in February 1872.
Dozens of spots on the South Island's West Coast had a record-warm start to January, as did much of the central and lower North Island.
But Auckland - and most of the North Island has stayed in the 20s, with blustery winds doing little to take away the humidity.
The winds will continue on Wednesday and Thursday morning, and will also impact coastal areas.
Weatherwatch.co.nz said big downpours were possible on Thursday afternoon in the upper North Island too with a potential for localised flooding. Wet weather would begin to ease by Friday.
The temperature is also set to fall in southern New Zealand over Wednesday and Thursday as clouds increase and patchy rain develops, the forecaster said. Heavier falls are due in the west and north of the South Island, bringing welcome relief for dry soils.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand rural regional manager Mike Grant said conditions had been incredibly dry in the south, and soil moisture levels were very low.
"We've had a few millimetres of rain here and there over the past six weeks, but the grass and vegetation is still tinder dry.
"That coupled with the extremely hot weather we've been having means the fire danger is really high. We had an unprecedented run of hot weather lately, certainly for Invercargill the heat has been record-breaking," Grant said.
A total fire ban remains in place for Gisborne, Horowhenua, Rangitikei and Marlborough.
WEDNESDAY'S FORECAST
WHANGAREI
Showers. Strong NE winds. High 25C, Low 20C
AUCKLAND
Showers. Strong NE. 25C, 20C
HAMILTON
Cloudy. Gusty NE. 24C, 18C
TAURANGA
Showers, NE. 23C, 19C
NAPIER
Fine, gusty NE. 27C, 19C.
WELLINGTON
Evening rain. Northerlies. 23C ,17C
CHRISTCHURCH
Cloudy, NE. 26C, 16C
DUNEDIN
Light rain. NE. 26C, 17C.
QUEENSTOWN
Light rain. NE. 24C, 14C
