January 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cThe rain behind it in the South Island will be easing and reducing in the North Island, mainly in the lower parts and the central parts,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is nothing heavy, just a few isolated showers.\u201d<\/p>\n
A strong wind warning is currently in place for the Tararua District, Wairarapa and Wellington until 4am, while a strong wind watch for the Hawke\u2019s Bay is forecast to begin at 11pm until 6am. <\/p>\n
Magwala said the top half of the North Island would remain mainly fine, apart from one or two showers in Northland for the afternoon.<\/p>\n
Two houses on a rural Hawkes Bay road were also evacuated this afternoon after a vegetation fire broke out nearby.<\/p>\n
Fire and Emergency NZ said crews received a call about the blaze on Waitara Rd at approximately 5.40pm.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe sent six rural trucks, one command unit, three urban trucks and two tankers,\u201d a shift manager said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fire is 25ha of mature pine and native, and is not currently contained.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo houses on Bell Rock Rd have been evacuated, and three helicopters are planning to return tomorrow, and forestry crews are currently on the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earlier today, Hawke\u2019s Bay led the national high with temperatures reaching 36.4C in Napier while nearby Hastings sat at 36.2C this afternoon. Gisborne also hit 33.2C.<\/p>\n
Christchurch climbed to 31.2C, while both Wh\u0101ngarei and Tauranga fell just shy of 30C with highs hovering around 29C.<\/p>\n
Auckland had steady heat throughout the day rising to around 26C this afternoon, reaching its usual January peak temperature.<\/p>\n
In the South Island, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said contractors were called in to clear fallen trees on State Highway 94 near Milford Sound, SH74 in Canterbury and SH6 on the West Coast. Motorists are being warned to expect delays.<\/p>\n
![\"Beating]()
Beating the heat, Aucklanders launched themselves into the water as temperatures soared. 11 January 2026. New Zealand Herald photograph by Hayden Woodward<\/p>\n
A large mudslide has closed SH73 on the West Coast between Otira and Arthur\u2019s Pass Village.<\/p>\n
NZTA said contractors were on-site at the slip, east of Arthur\u2019s Pass and working to remove enough debris to clear it.<\/p>\n
In Amberley, fire crews responded to gorse on fire.<\/p>\n
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson said the fire, about 80m by 50m, has been contained and is being tackled by ground crews. A helicopter was considered but conditions were deemed too windy.<\/p>\n
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