Updated — In the past hour the temperatures have soared in eastern parts of the South Island yet again as  Australia’s heat wave blows across New Zealand’s with a brisk nor’wester.

As of 10:50am Christchurch was on 27 degrees, up from 23 degrees at the start of the hour.

Dunedin had jumped from 22 at 10am to 24 degrees by 10:30am.

Ashburton also has 26 degrees.

We’ll be tracking the heat this afternoon as it continues across Otago, Canterbury, Marlborough and into the North Island’s east coast.

Tomorrow a cooler change arrives, according to WeatherWatch.co.nz.

Current temp map (10am)

– WeatherWatch.co.nz