Hottest January in Northland since records began

Xavier and Lilian Saxon check out the surf while cooling on Ahipara Beach on yet another hot day in Northland. Photo / Supplied

Intermittent rain during record January temperatures has helped Northland avoid being declared a drought zone.

The monthly climate summary for January released by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) shows last month was the country's hottest month since records began in 1909.

Dozens of locations around the country noted record or near-record temperatures but few were to get as much rain as Northland, which helped farmers with pasture growth.

However, the region's tourism sector is counting its losses from five days of cancelled tours because of stormy weather especially during a deep low pressure as a result of the fizzled-out tropical Cyclone Fehi in the Pacific Ocean last week.

Maximum January air temperature records were set in Whangarei (26.2C, up 1.7C), along with 11 mean minimum air temperature records, including in Kaitaia (18C, up 2.9C), and in Kerikeri (17.4C, up 3.3C).

Mean air temperature records were set in Cape Reinga (20.3C, up 1.3C), in Kaitaia (21.6C, up 2.2C), and Kerikeri (21.1C, up 1.9C).

Northland Rural Support Trust co-ordinator Julie Jonker said rain during the month, particularly along the west coast in Dargaville, Ruawai, and Te Kopuru, was much needed.

"Northland has been very lucky this summer and the rain we've had has resulted in amazing grass growth and pasture cover so farmers are quite relaxed about the feed situation.

"But they'll prefer the rain to stop once we get to winter as we've had a wet winter last year," she said.

Northland tourism leader Jeroen Jongejans said although the region avoided the worst weather experienced in other parts of New Zealand, it lost five significant days.

"This time of the year the tourism industry needs to make up for winter so the lost days are significant. You make more in one day in summer than you do in a month in winter.

"It's been a mixed bag in January. Land activities have been good, visitor numbers were up but the ability to maximise opportunities in the ocean has neither been the worst ever nor the best," he said.

Jongejans said some sectors, particularly the farming and the hospitality industry, have done very well in January.

Niwa's climate summary shows Kaikohe recorded its strongest-ever January wind gust at 89km/h, and Kaitaia its third-strongest at 93km/h.

There were 21 new record daily maximum temperatures in New Zealand, including at Cape Reinga (26.4 degrees), while Kaikohe recorded its fourth-highest maximum (29.1 degrees).

Niwa's expectations for Northland over the next three months are higher than average temperatures, rainfall, soil moisture and river flows.