Central Otago is seeing much of the heat this afternoon with Queenstown on 24, Wanaka on 26 and Alexandra topping 29.

The warmest areas appear to be in inland areas with abundant sunshine and little wind which is causing the thermometer to climb.

Wellington, Kaikoura, Gore and Invercargill are around the 17 and 18 degree mark but towards the bottom of the national temperature stakes.

Main centres

Auckland 23

Hamilton 21

Tauranga 22

Wellington 18

Christchurch 21

Dunedin 23