Summer heatwave: Temperature record broken in Wellington, warm weather to last to weekend

A 90-year-old temperature record has been broken in Wellington today as New Zealand continues to swelter through a heatwave.

For about 10 minutes this afternoon, the temperature in the Wellington suburb of Kelburn rose to 30.3C.

Metservice meteorologist Georgina Griffiths said that was the highest temperature recorded at the site since records began in 1927.

Auckland also hit 30C, the first time it has passed that milestone since the same time last year. The warmest place was Whenuapai, which reached 30.3C.

The highest temperatures were recorded in inland parts of the North Island, which are too far from the coast to be cooled by onshore seabreezes.

The hottest spot in New Zealand today was Kawerau in the Bay of Plenty, which reached 34.3C.

Taumaranui reached 33.6C, the second hottest recorded temperature there and the highest since 1947.

New Zealand is now on day two of a heatwave - which is defined as a five-day period in which temperatures are 5C above the monthly average.

The warm air, which is being driven by a heatwave from Australia, is expected to last until Friday in the South Island and Saturday in the North Island.

Most parts of New Zealand will be fine tomorrow, with Christchurch likely to be the hottest region at around 31C.

Today's hotspots

1. Kawerau - 34.3C

2. Taumaranui - 33.6C (2nd highest temperature on record)

3. Koromiko (Marlborough) - 33.1C

4. Kawatiri (Nelson/Tasman) - 33C

5. Galatea (Whatakane) - 32.8C