Updated 4pm — The 30 degree mark has been reached – and in fact temperatures are now in the low 30s across inland eastern parts of Canterbury.  Meanwhile a string of late 20 degree temperatures are being recorded from Dunedin to Christchurch.  

As of 4pm Christchurch airport had 28 degrees and Dunedin airport had 26 degrees but further inland and in the cities temperatures are a couple degrees warmer.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says parts of New Zealand are somewhat caught up with the heat wave that is yesterday broke records across South Australia. 

Yesterday parts of the state hit 40 degrees. Even today both Melbourne and Sydney were on 32 degrees as of 12noon local time (2pm NZT).

“Today part of that same heated air flow is shifting over the South Island – and coupled with the nor’west angle over the Southern Alps it’s helping bring Australian-like temperatures to our early spring” says head weather analyst Philip Duncan. 

El Nino springs are windier and hotter than average springs.

The North Island is cooler, although sunny in many areas with hottest weather – like the South Island – being mainly in the east or well inland.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz with data from Wunderground