New Zealand’s Winter Ranked Third-Warmest on Record, Data Shows
Earth Sciences New Zealand reported that the country’s winter of 2026 ranked as the third-warmest on record, with a nationwide average temperature of 9.7°C—1.1°C above the 1991-2020 winter average, according to the agency’s climate summary.
Regional Temperature Variations Highlight Climate Contrasts
While the South Island saw temperatures above or well above average, parts of the North Island, including Northland, Auckland, Waikato, eastern Bay of Plenty, and Gisborne, remained near the 1991-2020 average. The agency noted that the overall warmth was driven by exceptional conditions in June and sustained warmth across the South Island, which may have surprised residents in northern regions.
Christchurch recorded the nation’s highest winter temperature of 26°C on June 20, ranking as the second-highest winter temperature ever recorded. Lincoln reached 25.7°C on the same day, tying for the third-highest, while Christchurch’s Botanic Gardens hit 25.6°C, the fourth-highest. In contrast, Lake Tekapo registered the season’s lowest temperature at -13.5°C on July 12, with 14 locations experiencing record or near-record low minimums during an August cold snap.
Rainfall Patterns Show Regional Extremes
Rainfall varied significantly across the country, with Southland, Otago, the West Coast, and parts of Canterbury receiving above or well-above-normal precipitation. Conversely, large areas of the North Island, including Manawatū-Whanganui, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, and much of Waikato and Auckland, saw below-average rainfall. The highest one-day rainfall total was 194mm at Franz Josef on August 26, while the strongest wind gust reached 207km/h at Cape Turnagain on August 23.
Among New Zealand’s six main centers, Auckland and Tauranga shared the title of warmest, while Tauranga was the sunniest. Christchurch was the coolest and driest, Wellington the wettest, and Dunedin the least sunny. Nationally, Nelson recorded the most sunshine with 1,823 hours, followed by Whakatāne (1,793 hours) and New Plymouth (1,760 hours).
El Niño Conditions to Shape Spring Weather
Earth Sciences New Zealand confirmed that El Niño conditions in the tropical Pacific strengthened during winter, with sea surface temperatures around New Zealand largely near or above average. Marine heatwave conditions were observed in parts of the South Island and Tasman Sea during July and August. The agency stated that intensifying El Niño is expected to bring a warm, dry, and windy spring, potentially straining crops, pasture, and water supplies.
Xinhua reported that El Niño typically brings stronger, more frequent southwesterly to northwesterly winds, leading to drier conditions in eastern and northern areas and wetter conditions in the western and lower South Island. Heavy rainfall from July 5 to July 9 prompted three local states of emergency in eastern regions, according to the agency.
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