New Zealand climate settled and warm last year: Niwa

The country had relatively settled and warm weather last year with Whakatane being the sunniest followed by Nelson and Blenheim, the National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) said today.

Mt Ruapehu, Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook were the coldest.

Cheviot had the highest temperature at 35.6degC while Lake Tekapo recorded the lowest at -12.6degC.

Increased anticyclones (`highs') brought relatively settled conditions throughout the country, Niwa said.

``The broad climate setting switched from moderate El Nino early in the year to a La Nina by July.

``The La Nina had become moderate-to-strong by September.''

Notable climate features included two droughts, several heat waves, and three significant rainfall events, it said.

The wettest areas were Cropp River, Doon, and North Egmont with the driest at Clyde, Ranfurly and Alexandra.

The most rain in a single day at 314mm was recorded at Milford Sound on April 25.

In the main centres, Tauranga was the sunniest, Wellington the wettest, Christchurch the driest and Auckland the warmest, Niwa said.