Some of the hottest temperatures the country has seen this summer will sear southern regions next week as a heatwave sends temperatures soaring as high as 34C for days on end.
Canterbury and north and Central Otago are set to swelter in intense heat throughout the coming week, when one of the country's most popular holiday spots, Wanaka, is expected to be in a meteorological heatwave.
Wanaka's golden run starts today, when the mercury is expected to hit 30C and continue to get hotter, reaching 34C on Monday. It is expected to remain above 30C on Tuesday.
A heatwave is when the daily maximum temperature is higher than the average maximum by at least 5C for five consecutive days.
MetService forecaster Tom Adams said given Wanaka's average maximum temperature is 24C, the forecast highs over the next five days meant it would be in a heatwave.