Perfect Xmas weather, and more to come

Oliver Farrelly, 5, and sister Emma, 7, enjoy Christmas at Mt Maunganui. Photo / Alan Gibson

New Zealanders could not have asked for better weather to celebrate a Kiwi Christmas - and more sun is headed our way.

The beach was the perfect place to be as temperatures soared yesterday.

All centres in the North Island made it into the low to mid-20s, with Auckland and Hamilton reaching 25C. Dunedin had the national high with 32C, and parts of Waikato unofficially reported the same temperature.

The fine spell looks likely to continue over the weekend, and Auckland's forecast is for more clear weather and a light wind.

The Transport Agency is warning holidaymakers to take care on the busiest travel day of the year.

Spokesman Ewart Barnsley said motorists should try to travel outside busy periods, especially between 9am and 6pm, and those going north should use State Highway 16.

Traffic around Auckland yesterday was steady, with some heavy patches around Spaghetti Junction and on State Highway 1.