The predicted heatwave hit hard today, parts of New Zealand baking in mid-thirty degree temperatures, and it's set to continue.
Napier and Blenheim shared the top spot at 35, but it was roasting right through eastern and central regions.
The mercury soared around the country, with several centres hitting 30-plus.
"As well as really hot daytime temperatures, we are going to have extremely muggy overnight temperatures. So we are talking 18, maybe even up to 22, 23 degrees for some places overnight which can make it really difficult when you are trying to sleep," Lisa Murray MetService meteorologist said..
Emergency services responded to a tractor fire near Ashburton, with Canterbury already under an extreme fire risk warning.
The entire Northland region is under a fire ban after recent fires. The same restriction is in place for most of Nelson and Malborough.
Sunblock and water were on tap at Auckland's Laneway music festival for 13,000 fans.
Another major hazard is what the Automobile Association calls "summer ice" - sticky sludge on the roads as tarseal temperatures topped 50 degrees.
Mark Owen, of the NZ Transport Agency said its road workers will be out if they feel they can lower the temperature using a water cart or something similar, or roll chip in the tarseal.
"So we just ask motorists to take a bit of extra care," he said.
And it's all thanks to Australia.
"But luckily we're not going to see those 45 degree temperatures. But we are going to see some really warm temperatures which will have an adverse effect on New Zealand," Ms Murray said
It's still early days with forecasters predicting the sizzling weather will last all week.
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