Weather forecasters are predicting today's hot weather will continue right through the week.
Temperatures have reached a record-breaking 35°C in Wanaka today and the rest of Central Otago had surpassed 30°C.
Aucklanders can expect a max of 29°C which goes right through to Monday.
However, while more scorching weather is forecast for much of the country this weekend - MetService this morning issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Waitomo, Taumarunui, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo, Gisborne, Taranaki and Taihape.
MetService said the country was on track for one of the hottest months on record, with the heat expected to continue.
Meanwhile, the ice cream business is booming as people seek solace from the summer heat.
Linda Mitchell, from Mr Whippy in Cromwell, said she was out selling ice cream much earlier than usual to meet the demand.
"Normally we'd go out sort of 1.30 or 2 o'clock but I started at 11.30 today because it is that hot and I knew there were going to be many people sitting at the lake, enjoying the weather," she said.
"There's just so many new customers...because of the weather."
The ice cream business appears to be booming as people seek solace from the summer heat. Photo: RNZ
Ms Mitchell said this summer they had been selling about 50 to 60 more icreams per day - and the crowd favourite had been the waffle flake with choc dip.
And rest homes and retirement villages are topping up on iceblocks to keep residents cool.
Ryman Healthcare has ordered in extra frozen treats from suppliers and said it's ensuring all its 10,000 residents throughout the country are supplied with plenty of fluid.