“It will bring some heavier rain to the affected regions, especially to places like Greymouth, Hokitika and Milford Sound. “But because it’s associated with the rain, we’re going to see those temperatures start to increase.”White said New Zealand was already experiencing “summertime temperatures”. “Places in the east start to get some of those northwesterlies coming down that can really crank up the temperatures,” White said. “Places like Gisborne, Napier, Hastings and even Whakatāne and Tauranga, we’re already starting to see those high 20s and low 30s. “Napier, Tauranga, Hastings, Whakatāne and possibly Blenheim and Kaikōura are going to see an extended period of heat.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 06, 2026 17:34 UTC