"We partly attribute that to increased community groups getting involved and providing additional food services in and around the community.
"Thankfully, autumn so far has been quite warm, so the struggles of colder months hasn't kicked in yet, but we are aware of the winter challenges coming."
Overbye said often people struggled financially in winter, having to pay for the additional cost of heating, and also medical bills from winter illnesses.
"We expect with the homelessness situation in Rotorua there will be additional winter challenges afoot.
"Winter is a particularly hard time for people who have to sleep rough and this is an increasing challenge in Rotorua."
Dr Jim Miller, medical officer of health for Toi Te Ora Public Health, said the common cold, influenza and gastroenteritis were frequent causes of winter ailments.
"As we move into this winter we have a national whooping cough outbreak too."
He said many illnesses had a seasonal component.
"In the colder months people are more likely to spend time together at home, which may increase the risk of spreading infections. Cold and damp conditions may also contribute."
Dr Miller said people should make sure they were up to date with immunisations, including influenza and whooping cough for pregnant women and babies.
Hand hygiene was also one of the most effective and inexpensive ways of reducing the transmission of colds, influenza and other winter illnesses, he said.
Dr Miller said during the winter months it was important to keep the house warm and dry to prevent infections spreading.
Simple ways included opening curtains during the day and closing them at night, checking people had the best heating option for their home, opening windows for at least a few minutes each day, stopping draughts around doors, windows and fireplaces, and finding out if their home was insulated.
Niwa meteorologist Ben Noll said its seasonal climate outlook for April to June showed warmer than average temperatures were expected.
"There is a high confidence in above average temperatures for all regions of New Zealand. Our warmer than average seas are what is driving that outlook."
He said the northern east of the North Island was expected to have above normal rainfall, due to warm north easterly winds bringing moisture from the subtropics from time to time.
"Remember over the next three months, even though the forecast is for above average temperatures, we'll have to watch for the risk of frost as cold snaps occur during the autumn season into early winter."
As well as rainfall totals, soil moisture levels and river flows are most likely to be in the above normal range (45 per cent chance) for the Bay of Plenty area.
If you or your family members are unwell:
Don't spread your germs around – stay off work and school until you are feeling better.
Practice good cough and sneeze etiquette. This means covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or coughing or sneezing into your elbow.
Coughing is common in children, especially when they are preschool age, and is usually short lived. However, some coughs can be a sign of an infection and may need to be checked out by a doctor.
A wet cough is "chesty" and phlegmy. A wet cough is not normal and may need to be checked out by a doctor.
If your child has a sore throat – get it checked by a doctor or nurse. This can prevent rheumatic fever.
Remember health advice is just a phone call away – phone Healthline - 0800 611 116.
