Local weatherman David Crow, who has recorded statistics for almost 60 years, said the high temperature was recorded at the Park St weather station. It is the hottest since records began in 1878.
The previous record day was in 1948, with a temperature of 34.1degC.
There have been 17 days over 30degC this summer, including the eight leading up to yesterday.
''That's a heatwave and a-half'', Mr Crow said.
The hottest point of the day is generally about 4.30pm, he said.
Yesterday, 18 fire crews and 15 helicopters were on stand-by across Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago, as heat, rising wind and low humidity pushed the fire risk into the extreme category.
Queenstown Lakes District Council discouraged runners and bikers from using trails in the red zone due to extreme fire risk, including Ben Lomond, One Mile/Fernhill and Queenstown Hill. Skyline's MTB trails closed for the afternoon.
MetService said Queens-town's maximum temperature yesterday was 29degC.
Temperatures are expected to plummet today when predicted heavy rain starts as a cold front moves in.
