NZ experiences 'warmest June on record' – one city hit 26C

It may not feel like it now, but Earth Sciences New Zealand said country experienced its warmest June on record this year.

In the latest monthly climate summary, Earth Science New Zealand said the average temperature in June across the country was 10.6C.

It was the highest since records began at Earth Science New Zealand's seven station temperature series began in 1909.

The highest temperature during the month was in Christchurch's Bromley on June 20, and was recorded at 26C, which was also a record for New Zealand's highest June temperature.

The lowest temperature was -7.7C at Ranfurly on June 27.

Of the six main centres, Auckland and Tauranga were equally the warmest. Tauranga was the sunniest, Dunedin was the driest, Christchurch was the coolest and Wellington was the wettest and least sunny.

Meanwhile, Arthurs Pass took the highest one-day rainfall in June, with 168mm falling on June 20. The highest wind gust however went to Cape Turnagain, where a gust of 183km/h was recorded on the same day.

The areas experiencing the sunniest 2026 so far are Nelson, New Plymouth, Whakatāne and Richmond.

By the end of June, El Niño conditions were present in the South Pacific, and the sea surface temperatures surrounding the country were mostly above average.

Although last month was the warmest on record, it would appear temperatures have since dropped in parts of the country, with Southern District Police and New Zealand Transport Agency both warning of icy roads in the South Island.