Temperatures were well below average during June, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) climate summary says.

Extremely low temperatures were recorded in the Waikato, Taumarunui, Taupo, southern Hawke’s Bay, Central Otago, the Kaikoura Coast, and some alpine areas of the South Island.

All other areas experienced below average temperatures and the national average temperature of 7.5degC was 0.7degC below the long-term average for June.

The lowest temperature recorded for the month was -8.9degC in Hanmer Springs, while the highest was 24.5degC in Henderson, Auckland.

Despite the cold, the sun shone brightly with well above average sunshine totals recorded in Northland, Auckland, the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taupo, parts of Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay, Fiordland and Westland.

Extremely dry conditions affected much of the South Island as well as in parts of Taranaki and the Manawatu, while Central Otago recorded its lowest rainfall level on record for June.

Of the six main centres, Dunedin was the coldest and driest, Auckland the warmest, Tauranga the wettest, and Hamilton the sunniest.

NZHerald.co.nz