Sweltering temperatures to continue (+video)

The country will continue to swelter, as temperatures in some areas reach at least 30 degrees today.

WeatherWatch.co.nz said an anticyclone continues to slip eastwards but is maintaining mostly dry and sunny skies over the nation with just "a few blemishes" on the fringes.

The mercury was expected to top 30 degrees today in the north and east of the South Island between Blenheim and Dunedin. In the North Island, Wairarapa, inland parts of Hawkes Bay, Tauranga, Hamilton and possibly Palmerston North, were also expected to swelter.

Northland and Gisborne would see a few cloudy areas with the risk of a drizzly shower, analyst Richard Green said.

"The deep south could see one or two showers pick up this afternoon and southern Fiordland should see some rain or showers, although an easing is very likely later today."

Winds also continued to blow in from the east over the Far North and eastern parts of the country, however they would not prevent temperatures climbing to fairly healthy levels overall, Mr Green said.

Meanwhile, Waitangi Day next week should be mostly settled for many of us, as the country "bathes under yet another anticyclone", he said.

Temperatures were likely to be in the low- to mid-20s for most centres but inland areas could reach the 30C mark.

The hotspots would be at Hanmer Springs and Alexandra in the South Island, and Kawerau and inland from Palmerston North.

The dry spell could be broken on Sunday and Monday for parts of the country, Mr Green said.

"Moving in from the Tasman Sea a frontal system looks to deliver a period rain for western and northern districts, and now the chance of a band of rain or a period of showers moving across eastern parts of the Mainland.

"The data is flip flopping a little at this point for Canterbury but it seems a short wet spell with cooler temperatures could start late Sunday or early Monday for a time, but any moisture would be welcome at this time" he said.

However, Hawkes Bay, the driest part of the country, would probably miss out on much of next week's rain, Mr Green said.