Cherry growers, wine producers, ice cream sellers and holiday-makers are all revelling in consistently dry, warm weather.
With a week to go until the end of the month and no significant rain in sight, Dunedin is heading for its second-driest January since records began in 1918.
Alexandra and Ranfurly are heading for their driest Januarys since records began in 1983 and 1943 respectively.
Tim Jones, general manager at 45 South, New Zealand's largest cherry exporter, said this was the season they had been waiting for.
''I've been here for 20 years and this is the best season we've had, with basically no rain during harvest ... It's just been a dream,'' he said.
Central Otago Winegrowers Association president James Dicey said the dry weather was also a bonus for grape growers.
''I've certainly got a big smile on my dial,'' he said. The last season like this was 2008, ''so it's been a long time between drinks for winegrowers''.
Dunedin's Rob Roy Dairy owner Liz Watson said the good weather meant ice creams in cones were very popular.
Last year the shop sold 133,000 rolled ice cream cones and for the second consecutive year sold the most Tip Top bulk ice cream of any shop in New Zealand.
The most popular flavour was cookies and cream.
St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool was also benefiting, with visits during December and January to date at 16,531 compared with 15,351 for all of both those months last summer.
Warm, dry conditions are expected to continue throughout the weekend until an easterly brings cloud and drizzle about the middle of next week.
MetService forecaster John Law said temperatures inland could hit the 30s but should be cooler on the coast.
''Sustained amounts [of rain] are a way off. Its going to be fairly settled and dry.''
Niwa's latest ''hot spot'' report shows soil moisture levels still at extreme levels in northern and Central Otago. Parts of Southland were starting to dry out so were being monitored.
Dunedin hydrologist Dave Stewart said the mix of westerlies and anticyclones could be a pattern for six to eight weeks. It was typical El Nino weather.
