NIWA have issued their predictions over the next 3 months with much of the country set to have warmer than average temperatures but not necessarily warm sunshine for the first 3 months of the year.

Below are the long term forecasts for January, February and March.

Temperatures:

For the January-March period as a whole, air temperatures are likely to be above average throughout the North Island and in the north, west and south of the South Island. In the east of the South Island, temperatures are likely to be average or above average. Sea surface temperatures in the New Zealand region are likely to be near average or above average.

Rainfall, soil moisture, and river flows:

The National Climate Centre projects that late summer rainfall totals are likely to be above normal throughout the North Island, and normal or above normal in the north of the South Island. For the west, south and east of the South Island, late summer rainfall is likely to be below normal or normal. Soil moisture levels and river flows are likely to be above normal in North Island regions, normal or above normal in Nelson-Marlborough, and below normal in the west, south and east of the South Island.

WeatherWatch.co.nz tend to agree with some of the predictions but  variability is likely with rain events and warmer and cooler spells.Fluctuations are likely, especially in the south.