Since the start of the year, temperatures in the north of the North Island, along the west and east of the South Island, had risen to 0.6C above average. Since the start of the year, temperatures in the north of the North Island, along the west and east of the South Island, had risen to 0.6C above average. "Right now, it's not like people will be going into the water and thinking, wow, it's really warm," Noll said. "We're seeing a bit of variability at the moment - but over the longer term, with that warmth, we'll probably see [sea temperatures] creep up later in the month." Showers were on the cards for most of New Zealand later today - with some potentially heavy and thundery around the lower South Island.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 06, 2021 16:50 UTC