The temperature was almost 25degC when diners sat down at noon at the Alexandra-Clyde-Lauder Union Presbyterian Church in Alexandra, and reached 30degC later in the day.
More than 100 people attended the community dinner and Mr Howley said guests enjoyed the food and hospitality.
''For some people this is their first Christmas, depending on what country they come from, and for others, well, a lot of people are very thankful they have somewhere to come today.''
Among the diners were many orchard workers, including a group of 35 from Harry Roberts' Earnscleugh orchard, and they were treated to a lunch of Christmas ham, barbecued sausages, chicken kebabs, lamb koftas ''and the usual spread of salads and desserts''.
Elsewhere in Central Otago many cooled off in the water during the day. Lake Dunstan and the Clutha River were busy with swimmers, boat users and kayakers.
