The hottest days of this summer so far are forecast for the next few days.
MetService says temperatures are expected to be in the 30s, due to an anticyclone moving slowly over the country.
Dry, hot weather is due to last into the weekend.
Waitangi Day is expected to be sunny with a scattering of cloud at celebrations in the Bay of Islands on Saturday.
A southerly is expected for all New Zealand on Sunday.
