Weather
New Zealand’s weather is shaped by its mountains, the ocean surrounding the country and the winds from the roaring forties.
Part of story: Weather
Weather forecasting
With its elongated shape, New Zealand can be subtropically warm in the north and bitterly cold in the south, on the same day.
Part of story: Weather forecasting
Extreme weather
‘My overwhelming feelings at the time were partly fear and panic, but mainly helplessness and powerlessness. For a time there was nowhere to hide from the forces of nature …’ Brian
Part of story: Weather
Tāwhirimātea – the weather
New Zealand’s rapid weather changes, frequent rain, distinctive cloud patterns and strong winds all had a huge influence on the daily life of Māori.
Part of story: Tāwhirimātea – the weather
Factors determining weather
The weather is the particular atmospheric conditions and events at any one time. The climate is the average and the range of conditions over several decades.
Part of story: Weather
Predicting the weather
Māori observed birds carefully, and their actions were often believed to predict the weather.