A warm spell described by NIWA as an "immense dome" of high pressure has brought record temperatures to some parts of the country.
There are warnings it could develop into drought if the pattern continues.
Wellington's Mayor ditched his mayoral robes for his mayoral togs on Thursday.
Justin Lester's stunt was to promote Wellington as a summer destination and helped by a spell of summer-like conditions in the capital.
Those in Cromwell may have a claim to fame as a summer destination too; the central Otago town hit 33.3degC at 4pm on Thursday.
That's the town hottest ever spring temperature and the equal-tenth hottest November temperature in all of New Zealand.
"Oh it is very dry, we could do with a nice gentle shower. A nice gentle shower at night," said one resident.
NIWA records show Cromwell has passed 20degC on 24 out of the last 31 days.
It's part of a high pressure spell which could have serious implications, as NIWA warns a drought developing in some areas.
The unusually warm weather was a surprise to those in nearby Wanaka.
"There's still snow on the mountain, so I'm a little bit disorientated," one person said.
"It's confusing - but in a good way," said her friend.
It's not just the South Island where temperatures have topped 30degC.
In Mangaroa, Upper Hutt, the Met Service recorded 31.3degC at 2pm on Thursday.
The sweltering heat was not such a surprise to some.
"The Upper Hutt - we just bath in it. Don't tell anyone, it's our secret," one man said.
With La Niña making its mark, the warm weather is forecast to continue as summer approaches.
Newshub.
