Climate & Weather

A summary of up-coming tropical cyclone seasons, issued 6-monthly.

Temperature trends from 1930s to present day

West Coast is New Zealand’s wettest region, and this may be attributed to its exposure to the predominant westerly airflow over the country, combined with the orographic effect of the Southern Alps.

We provide an overview of New Zealand climate data for use in school projects.

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.

At the age of seven, NIWA’s youngest climate scientist, Nava Fedaeff, swapped sub-arctic Siberia for balmy Auckland – and her first job was to learn to swim.

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

The climate of Otago is perhaps the most diverse of any region in New Zealand.

Understanding how hazards impact people and the environment provides the foundation for informed decision making for a resilient Pacific.

These datasets are available in a range of formats.