Most of the warmth this afternoon appears to be in the North Island with Tauranga, Gisborne and Hastings on 23 degrees with Lower Hutt close behind on 22.

Of the main centres, Wellington is the warmest on 21, Hamilton on 20, Auckland is on 19, Dunedin 18 and Christchurch is under cloudy skies and 17 degrees.

The mainland is a little cooler overall this afternoon with even inland areas in the mid teens.Gore is just 14 degrees and might dip to single figures overnight, whereas the mildest spots tonight should be along the east and north of the country with a nor’ easter picking up.