New Zealand climate: The temperature record,historical data and some agricultural implications

Evidence is presented that suggests that annual and seasonal temperatures are in phase throughout the New Zealand region for climatic variation. Annual and seasonal temperature curves dating back to 1853 based on the longest instrumental records show a warming of over 1 °C between the early 1860's and the present day, with a 0.5 °C discontinuity since the mid 1940's. Although the warming is regional, the magnitude and timing of the fluctuations vary because of the country's high relief, and wide latitude range. These factors give differing exposure to the atmosphere and oceanic circulations, the resultant interaction of which allows the country to be divided into six temperature response areas which are homogeneous for fluctuations. The information of the last fifty years in these areas is compared. The story from the longer record is supported by phenomena documented from historical sources such as glacial variations, iceberg sightings, and severe snowstorm occurrences. The length and intensity of the growing season is examined in two climatically different areas of New Zealand to ascertain the agricultural significance of the described climate record.