Wellington had its hottest Christmas Day in almost 80 years.
MetService said the temperature in the capital reached 28.6 degrees, only 0.1 degree below its hottest Christmas in 1934.
And 29.6 degrees was recorded at Wellington airport.
Hamilton was also close to a record set in 1981 - hitting 26.2 degrees.
The temperature in Lower Hutt was 32 degrees.
The hottest place in the country was Alexandra - 33.4 degrees.
