As Northland and Auckland battle thunderstorms and heavy downpours, several centres are baking in 30C heat

Hastings took out the top spot, hitting around 33C, with nearby Napier reaching 32C and Gisborne making it to 28C.

Meanwhile, MetService has issued a severe weather watch for most of the central and upper North Island, including Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Rotorua and Taupo.

Down south, MetService forecaster Tuporo Marsters says Twizel has also been feeling the heat, getting to 30C.

Kaikoura also reached 27C and Christchurch is sitting at 25C, but a southerly coming through tonight could cause temperatures to drop.