A heat alert has been issued for Hastings as sweltering temperatures in the North Island are forecast to continue.
MetService meteorologist Heather Keats said a heat alert has been issued for Hastings, which was expected to hit 34C today.
"The temperature is forecast to be very hot for this location. We advise you to keep hydrated, seek shade, check in with vulnerable people and look after your pets and livestock," the forecaster said.
People across the country took advantage of the high summer temperatures over the weekend after "unsettled weather" brought rain and a tornado earlier in the week.
A heat alert for Ōamaru over the weekend has been lifted but Hawke's Bay was now expected heat up with temperatures between 28C and 33C forecast until December 11.
Health New Zealand’s public health registrar for Hawke's Bay, Dr Matt Radford, said "the heat can affect us all and overheating is a condition than can prove fatal".
He urged people to "avoid extreme physical exertion and ensure pets and people are not left alone in stationary cars".
"We are all vulnerable to hot temperatures – some people are particularly at risk. This includes the elderly, infants and children, women who are pregnant, people suffering from chronic, acute and severe illness," said Radford.
Keats said the rest of the week would bring "very different weather depending on where you are in the country".
"The further north, the more it feels like summer. But there is wet weather still moving over the South Island thanks to the weakening fronts."
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