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Weather forecasters have warned that this summer could be the hottest in almost a decade, raising the danger of bush fires.
Met Service spokesman Bob McDavitt said December and January were likely to be bathed in sunshine and hotter than average. It could be as hot as 1998, when Auckland had 10 straight 30C days and ran out of power.
"It will be sunnier - there's more sunshine. And long, dry days are expected. We probably will see a few 30C days, even in the Auckland area. We normally see only one a year, and there might well be more this coming summer."
The baking heat will be a result of the El Nino weather system which will bring west and southwest winds across the country, especially across the North Island. There will be more sunshine and warmer temperatures, especially in the north and east.
"We're playing by El Nino rules. The only place that gets wetter than normal conditions in El Nino is south and west of Mt Cook," said McDavitt.
But don't break out the barbecue and head to the beach just yet - November is set to be a frustrating time. The temperatures will be about average but, McDavitt said, we were in the midst of a weather cycle where fronts from the Southern Ocean came across the country every seven days, giving nice weather during the week but ruining the weekend. That phase should end by December, bringing on the summer weather.
But McDavitt said the summer sun would bring serious effects to holiday makers.
"Places in the north and east will be drying out over November and become a bush fire risk, so be careful," he said. "There's more sunshine - be careful. More people are going to die of UV, almost 300 per year. It's about the same as the road toll."
In 2004, soaring temperatures in January set records in many parts of New Zealand.
Many Canterbury farmers had trouble keeping lambs alive in the heatwave, and one of the biggest problems was for train travellers, many of whom were overseas tourists.
Long-distance trains in both islands slowed to a 40km/h crawl because of the risk of heat buckling tracks.
Stay clear of slip shod sun slop
Slip, slop, slap - it's the mantra of summer. But the Cancer Society says some of the "slop" may be substandard.
The society warns that many overseas sunscreens don't meet requirements here because they are designed for northern hemisphere conditions.
There are no regulations for sunscreen in New Zealand. The Australia New Zealand sunscreen standards are voluntary here. Many imported sunscreens don't stand up to New Zealand conditions. Some claim they can completely protect people from the sun - something no sunscreen can do.
The Cancer Society says it is essential that people wear hats and shirts when in the sun and stay in the shade at the most extreme times of the day - from about 11.30am to 3.30pm.
It tells consumers to buy only a sunscreen rated at least SPF 30+ to ensure protection against UVB rays. The sunscreen should be broad spectrum to protect against UVA rays. And be sure look for the mark AS/NZS2604 which means the product meets the Australia New Zealand sunscreen standards.
David Russell of the Consumers' Institute said consumers would be wise to use sunscreens that met these standards.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
