Blanketing Dunedin around the harbour for much of the morning, the thick fog prevented the Dawn Princess cruise ship and its 2000 passengers from entering Otago Harbour. The vessel anchored several kilometres off the coast, delaying its arrival and causing chaos for tourism operators and retailers expecting a bumper day's trade.
"It was a nuisance, but what can you do?" passenger Chris Bekkeli, of Perth, said.
Taieri Gorge Railway chief executive Murray Bond said the late arrival of the ship caused "chaos" for those who had pre-booked excursions, causing delays and leading to 100 customers cancelling.
Monarch Wildlife Cruises Ltd owner John Milburn said two trips had to be cancelled.
Passenger Charles Mifsud, of Sydney, said the delay was frustrating, with many fellow passengers forced to change their plans.
"A few people were quite disappointed, and the long delays with the shuttle buses caused a bit of a concern for some of the older passengers . . . but it is the weather - what can you do?"
The ship arrived just before 11am, instead of the scheduled 8.30am, and departed at 8pm, two hours later than scheduled so passengers could maximise their time in Dunedin.
Dunedin Visitor Centre manager Louise van de Vlierd said while tourist operators worked hard to make up for the morning disruption, retailers and the hospitality sector enjoyed a good day's trade as temperatures reached at least 31decC in the city.
Niwa meteorologist Mike Revell, of Wellington, said Dunedin was likely in the grips of a "radiation fog" - when the cooling ground produces condensation in calm conditions.
The fog was not harmful.
• Elsewhere in the region, 34degC was recorded in Middlemarch, 32degC in Mosgiel and 30degC in Ranfurly.
