MetService has left Kiwis scratching their heads after the forecaster said Stewart Island was -36C celsius on Friday morning.
While the country has been experiencing a cold snap it's unlikely that's the real temperature, given it's just 14C warmer than the South Pole.
It would also be a new record with the current coldest temperature ever recorded in New Zealand being -25.6C at Ranfurly, Otago in 1903.
The forecast prompted concern for Stewart Island locals after a picture of it was posted to Reddit.
"Uhhhh...can someone check on Stewart Island please?" the poster asked alongside a photo showing the chilly temperature.
"I went to ask but all I found was an iceberg," one user replied.
While someone else suggested residents were probably fine because "they're a hardy bunch down there".
"They're tough down that way - prob just another frosty morn for them," another joked.
"Gone, reduced to popsicles…" someone else suggested.
"Climate change be messed up," another user joked, suggesting the changing climate could be to blame.
The MetService website says the island is sitting at -36C celsius with an expected high of 12C celsius and a low of 7C celsius. The website recommends four layers of clothing and one windproof layer.
But according to WeatherWatch, the temperature on Stewart Island is actually 10C celsius.
The South Island has been experiencing a cold snap over the past week - although not that cold.
Several regions were plunged into the negatives on Wednesday and Thursday with Omarama dropping to a teeth-chattering -10C celsius.
Several other places including Christchurch, Timaru, Westport, Queenstown and Twizel were all in the negatives as well.
Metservice has been approached for comment.
