Climate & Weather

View a collection of maps showing the impact of past El Niño and La Niña events.

Eastern North Island
Gisborne, Napier, Masterton
Sheltered by high country to the west, this zone enjoys a dry, sunny climate. Warm dry settled weather predominates in summer. Frosts may occur in winter. Typical summer daytime maximum air temperatures range from 20°C to 28°C, occasionally rising above 30°C. High temperatures are frequent in summer, which may be accompanied by strong dry foehn winds from the northwest. Extreme temperatures as high as 39°C have been recorded. Winter is mild in the north of this region and cooler in the south.

Information about past climate is obtained from piecing evidence together from various sources.

Northland, with its northern location, low elevation and close proximity to the sea is characterised by a mild, humid, and rather windy climate.

The New Zealand Drought Monitor is a system for keeping track of drought conditions across New Zealand based on a standardised climate index.

Floods are not unusual in New Zealand, but those that hit us early this winter broke records. Why did they occur? Should we expect more? Can we predict future floods?

Northern New Zealand
Kaitaia, Whangarei, Auckland, Tauranga
This is a sub-tropical climate zone, with warm humid summers and mild winters. Typical summer daytime maximum air temperatures range from 22°C to 26°C, but seldom exceed 30°C. Winter daytime maximum air temperatures range from 12°C to 17°C. Annual sunshine hours average about 2000 in many areas. Tauranga is much sunnier with at least 2200 hours. SW winds prevail for much of the year. Sea breezes often occur on warm summer days. Winter usually has more rain and is the most unsettled time of year.

Farmers are making business decisions everyday which are influenced by environmental factors. We can help farmers to improve decision-making, mitigate farm environment risk, and to become more productive, efficient, competitive and sustainable.

Developing probabilistic scenarios of expected future regional climate changes.

One of the major consequences of climate change is rising global sea levels.

These datasets are available in a range of formats.

The Kiwi dream of owning a beachfront property with panoramic views of the ocean is under threat—and not just for financial reasons.