Temperatures in the South Pacific nation were 1.4 degrees Celsius (2.5 Fahrenheit) above the long-term average for the first half of the year, according to the government-funded National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. That`s the highest since record-keeping began more than a century ago, and significantly higher than the previous record of 1.1 Celsius above average, reached in 1938 and again in 1999.
Chris Brandolino, a scientist at the research agency, said three factors contributed: unusually warm ocean temperatures, warm winds from the north, and a background of global warming.
He says the agency is predicting warmer temperatures will continue for at least another three months.
First 6 months of 2016 hottest ever recorded in New Zealand
04 July 2016
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The first six months of 2016 were the hottest start to a year that`s ever been recorded in New Zealand, scientists say.
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