NZ temperature record
Science Centres: Climate
There are many lines of evidence showing that NZ has warmed during the past century. These include the "seven station" temperature series, the "eleven station" temperature series, and information from ship measurements of sea-surface temperatures and marine night-time air temperatures over the oceans around NZ.
‘Seven-station’ series
NIWA's 'seven-station' temperature series uses temperature measurements from seven 'climate stations'. The locations were chosen because they provide a representative geographical spread across NZ and have reliable records dating back at least to the early 1900s. The trend over the past 100 years (1910-2010) is warming of 0.96 ºC.
'Eleven-station' series
This series comprises a set of eleven stations spanning New Zealand where there have been no significant site moves for many decades. The data used in this series are raw (unadjusted) – no adjustments are required because the measuring sites have not moved significantly. There is a warming trend over the 77 year period 1931-2008 of close to 1 ºC.
Sign up for free access to NIWA’s raw climate data
NIWA is a world leader in providing raw climate data free over the web.
Access NIWA’s climate database here
Review
NIWA has been asked to verify its work through various review processes, and we have welcomed the opportunity. Learn more about this process.
