New Zealand swelters under incredible summer heatwave

Photo credit: Getty

Parts of New Zealand will be praying for shade as sky-high summer temperatures roll across the country.

Gisborne hit 39C just after noon on Monday, while parts of Hawke's Bay have been sizzling in the low 30s all morning.

Auckland is sitting at a solid 27C, with temperatures of 29C predicted on Tuesday.

And it's not just the North Island sweating up a storm - Christchurch was also hit by early morning heat with temperatures sitting closer to 30C than 20C before 9am.

But as the top end of the country sizzles, the lower South Island is preparing for a storm.

MetService has issued its first-ever red warning for parts of the South Island.

The warning has been issued for Westland south of Hokitika and Fiordland north of George Sound as rain pummels the region.

It's expected parts of Fiordland and Westland will get 300-450mm of rain by Tuesday afternoon.

 

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