Temperatures near Christchurch were expected to reach 34 degrees today - much higher than the summer average of 21 degrees, while much of the rest of the country - including Otago - was enjoying temperatures in the high 20s.
WeatherWatch.co.nz head weather analyst Philip Duncan said it was the third weekend in a row with daytime highs above their norm for this time of the year.
Some parts of Canterbury have not had rain for a month but downpours yesterday helped some areas inland, he said.
The sunshine in New Zealand is in stark contrast to weather in Australia, which has seen a stormy start to summer with thousands of lightning strikes.
Townships were evacuated as torrential rain lashed Victoria last night.
Residents were warned on Saturday would be worse but New Zealand has had no severe weather warnings.
Metservice reported there is still a moderate chance for isolated showers in Auckland and Hamilton this afternoon with highs of around 23 degrees.
The central North Island areas of Waitomo, Taupo, Taihape and Taranaki had a moderate risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon.
"It will be a similar story as what we have had in the past couple of days," said Kyle Lee of Metservice.
Of Christchurch's heat, Lee said the December average is for Christchurch is 21 degrees so 30 degrees was high for early December but "not unusual".
