But in the South Island, temperatures will drop further among today’s hot spots with Kaikōura forecast for 20C, Christchurch and Timaru 19C, Ashburton 18C, and Ōamaru 21C. Magwala said a front currently across the top of the South Island would move towards the bottom of the North Island overnight. Magwala said the top half of the North Island would remain mainly fine, apart from one or two showers in Northland for the afternoon. Two houses on a rural Hawkes Bay road were also evacuated this afternoon after a vegetation fire broke out nearby. In the South Island, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said contractors were called in to clear fallen trees on State Highway 94 near Milford Sound, SH74 in Canterbury and SH6 on the West Coast.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 11, 2026 09:13 UTC