The heatwave in the South Island is ending abuptly as the predicted cooler change sweeps in.

In the past hour Dunedin has tumbled from 29 degrees to 15 degrees.

The change in wind and drop in temperatures will be welcome news to those dealing with a wildfire at Saddle Hill.  Some light rain is also falling.

Invercargill and Southland has also seen the mercury tumble quickly from the late 20s to just below ten degrees in a matter of minutes.

The cooler change will sweep over the rest of New Zealand tonight and over Thursday, ending the heatwave that came from Australia says WeatherWatch.co.nz.

Meanwhile the heatwave continues this afternoon further north with Kaikoura breaking an October record hitting 31 degrees this hour officially.

Many weather stations across eastern parts of Hawkes Bay and Gisborne are in the late 20s and early 30s right now.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz