2016's the warmest year ever, so farRobert Charles/FAIRFAX NZ The first half of 2016 has been the warmest start to a year on record for New Zealand. On June 21 Kaitaia, Auckland, Tauranga, New Plymouth, Taupo and Christchurch had their mildest overnight June 21 temperatures, while Kaikoura had its warmest June 21 daytime high. February 2016, at 2.2°C above average, was the second warmest February on record (beaten by 1998); March, at +1.3C, was the 6th warmest March; May, at +2.1C, was the warmest May (beating the previous record holder 2011); March-April-May was the second warmest autumn, second only to 1938. Whanganui had its warmest June 20 on record, with a maximum of 18.7C, compared to the previous high 17.8C. Until now, the warmest January-June half years were 1938 and 1999, both 1.1C above average, followed by 1998 (+1C) and 1971 (+0.9C).

Source: Stuff June 28, 2016 08:26 UTC