New Zealand's southernmost city is set to give the Far North a run for its money, with Niwa picking it to have the country's hottest temperature today

It's expecting a high of 26 degrees in Invercargill today, topping Kaitaia's high of 21.

MetService meanwhile, has capped the temperature in the Southland city at 22 degrees.

But neither forecaster thinks the warm temperatures will stay around for long.

It follows a dramatic week of weather across the country - with hail storms battering some parts, while others remained sunny.