Scorching temperatures are being felt across the country in the lead up to Christmas

Kaikoura Airport recorded the highest temperatures yesterday reaching 32 degrees at 3pm - with Timaru coming in hot on its heels at 31 degrees by 4pm.

NIWA meteorologist Ben Noll says 30 plus temperatures will continue around much of the South Island on Wednesday and Thursday.

He says there's plenty more hot weather to come, as a warm air mass from Australia arrives just before the holiday period.