Several warnigns and watches are in place, including a newly issued orange warning for the lower North Island. Photo: MetService
Parts of the South Island are set to swelter on Saturday, but some regions are also bracing for heavy wind and rain throughout the weekend.
Motueka, Blenheim, Kaikōura and Christchurch are under heat alerts, with temperatures expected to hit or exceed 30 degrees.
All up, 14 towns and cities around New Zealand have heat alerts today as temperatures continue to climb.
"Records could roll," MetService said.
Kerikeri reached a record January high temperature on Saturday, exceeding 32 degrees. The previous record was 31.2 degrees on 11 January, 1983.
It’s going to be a hot weekend with muggy nights
— MetService NZ (@MetService) January 8, 2026
Babies and infants, older people, and those with medical conditions are particularly vulnerable, so check in on each other.
Even if you’re somewhere without heat alerts, here are some good tips for managing the summer heat:… pic.twitter.com/CNPXzeaNFD
Meanwhile, the Public Health Service is warning that people can die from becoming overheated.
Hawke's Bay is set to be one of the hottest regions this weekend, as the tail-end of Australia's heatwave sweeps across the Tasman.
Medical officer Dr Matt Radford said vulnerable people, including babies and children, pregnant women and anyone with health conditions were at risk.
He said people should avoid going outside during the hottest time of the day, drink plenty of water and wear lightweight clothing.
Plunket also said children should never be left in a car in the heat and should wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses when they're outside.
Hastings council is warning residents to stay vigilant to fire danger and conserve water.
The Hawke's Bay town is expected to be the hottest part of the country - with a projected high of 38 degrees tomorrow.
Deputy mayor Michael Fowler said people should avoid spending too much time in the sun.
"Keep out of the heat, keep hydrated, look after your neighbours, look after your pets."
The district council had taken measures to prepare for the heat.
It had closed Te Mata Park and told staff and contractors to avoid work that could create sparks - but residents also needed to ensure they were prepared to deal with near record temperatures, he said.
"Hastings used to get very excited about a 35 degree heat. Well this is going to be more than that ... People need to be absolutely vigilant about this and take it seriously."
Te Mata Park. (File pic) Photo: LDR/SUPPLIED
Orange wind warning for lower North Island
On Saturday an orange strong wind warning was issued to take effect from around 6am tomorrow until early Monday morning for the Tararua District, Wairarapa and Wellington.
Severe gale northwest winds gusting to 120km/h are forecast.
Orange Strong Wind Warning issued for Marlborough, The Tararua District, Wairarapa and Wellington.
— MetService NZ (@MetService) January 9, 2026
Orange Heavy Rain Warning issued for Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers about and south of Arthur's Pass.
There is an elevated risk of thunderstorms,… pic.twitter.com/HI42XUPnaT
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said two weather systems were moving across the South Island, with the first beginning early this morning.
"That will bring an increase in wind speed and summer rain for western parts of the country but as we head into Sunday we have a larger weather system that arrives and that also ramps up that rain in the western part of the South Island and strong winds for almost the whole of the South Island."
The norwesters will drive temperatures up and last overnight in both islands, with temperatures staying in the high teens.
"It will be much warmer than average for some parts of Northland and Coromandel," on what is shaping as "a classic summer weekend" for the North Island, she said.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
There are several other watches and warnings in place for the South Island.
Orange heavy rain warnings are in place for Westland and Fiordland, where up to 300mm could fall over a 30-hour period from late tonight.
A heavy rain watch also applies to the ranges of the Grey and Buller districts from midday tomorrow while there's a strong wind watch for Marlborough, especially about the Sounds and Kaikōura Coast from 1am tomorrow.
An orange strong wind warning has been issued for Canterbury about the High Country and the foothills from 10pm today. Severe gales northwesterlies gusting up to 130 kilometres are predicted.
Heavy rain and strong wind watches are also in place for the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers in the Arthur's Pass area.
Heavy rain watches and strong wind watches have also been issued for the weekend for the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers, Fiordland, Otago, Southland and Stewart Island.
Fire warning
Paihia and Russell, Whangārei, Whitianga, Tauranga, Whakatāne, Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, Masterton are also under heat alerts today.
Fire and Emergency warned the weekend's conditions - heat, wind and low humidity - were a "perfect storm" for wildfires.
The risk was highest in Canterbury, Marlborough, Wairarapa, Hawke's Bay, Tai Rāwhiti, and Northland, it said.
In several areas across the country fires are banned or restricted.
Fire and Emergency's map of where fires are banned, or restricted, across the motu. Photo: FENZ
Red zones have a total fire ban, and in yellow zones, people may need to apply for a permit - go to checkitsalright.nz to check and apply.
All permits in Canterbury are suspended from midnight Friday until 8am on Monday.
There's no permit needed in green zones.
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