November 1959: It was windy and changeable, and comparatively dry. Pasture growth was less than usual in many areas. Strong northwesterly gales were reported on several occasions. On the 6th and 9th they affected mainly areas about Cook Strait. On the 23rd they caused damage to power installations in Southland. [The Hawkins Hill gust of 154mph (248kph) occurred on the 6th].

Rainfall: In northern districts of both islands and in eastern districts of the North Island rainfall was only half of the average. Elsewhere it was mainly about 3/4 of the normal value, except on the West Coast and in Southland and most of Otago, where there was a slight excess.

Temperatures: Temperatures were above average by about 1F, except on the West Coast. Highest departures of 2F-3F were in parts of Canterbury and Marlborough. The highest reading for the month was 88.6F (31.5C) at Ashburton on the 22nd. Other warm days in Canterbury were 5,13,19,29 and 30. Snow was reported to low levels in parts of Otago on the 8th.

Sunshine: Sunshine was below average, except in eastern districts north of Dunedin and in parts of Westland. Largest deficiencies were recorded in western areas from Hamilton to Westport. For New Plymouth with 159 hours and Palmerston North with 121 hours it was one of the cloudiest Novembers on record.

[Some totals: Te Hapua 191, Kaitaia 168, Kerikeri 172, Whangarei 181, Auckland 191, Tauranga 210, Whakatane 237, Taupo 229, Hamilton 169, New Plymouth 159, Masterton 225, Gisborne 263, Napier 254, Wairoa 259, Paraparaumu 151, Ohakea 159, Palmerston Nth 121, Levin 140, Wellington 175, Wanganui 196, Westport 150, Hokitika 181, Greymouth 155, Haast 130, Nelson 227, Blenheim 236, Grassmere 197, Mt Cook 179, Methven 237, Christchurch 224, Tekapo 264, Timaru 213, Waimate 164, Omarama 236, Dunedin 163, Queenstown 208, Alexandra 205, Invercargill 164, Campbell Is 76, Chatham Is 139].
 

Sources: NZ Met. Misc. pub. 107 (Climatological table, NZ Gazette) and NZ Met. Misc. pub. 109 (Meteorological Observations) - additional comments by the poster.

Yes it does. I don't think the city experienced anything close to that so it's hard to know whether it was newsworthy at the time.