January 1966: January was very cloudy, and resembled the two previous months in being wetter than usual. Pasture growth was exceptional, while conditions were generally too unsettled for haymaking and harvesting.

Rainfall: Rainfall was above average in Otago and South Canterbury, about Cook Strait, and over the greater part of the Auckland province. In parts of Central and South Otago, Taupo, and southern Northland it was more than double the normal value. Some falls of around 6-9” were reported around Rotorua on the 22nd. It was drier than usual by more than 25% in western Southland, North Canterbury, Buller, Gisborne and parts of Hawkes Bay and Taihape.

Temperatures: In the North Island temperatures were mainly above average, the highest departures of 3F-4F being in the Gisborne district. In Westland, Otago and Southland it was 1F-2F cooler than usual, but elsewhere in the South Island temperatures were close to average.

Sunshine: Sunshine was below average over the whole country. [About normal at Tekapo and Mt Cook, and only a little below in Gisborne and Queenstown]. The largest deficits of 50-80 hours were recorded in western and northern districts, where it was generally the cloudiest January for about 40 years. Examples of low totals were: Greymouth (116), Te Paki (Northland) (150), Auckland (168), Westport (151), Hokitika (129) and Invercargill (142).

[Some totals: Kaitaia 155, Kerikeri 174, Whangarei 156, Auckland 168, Tauranga 214, Whakatane 232, Taupo 205, Opotiki 203, Hamilton 197, New Plymouth 188, Masterton 220, Gisborne 238, Napier 232, Wairoa 230, Paraparaumu 181, Ohakea 190, Palmerston North 169, Foxton 197, Levin 178, Wellington 176, Stratford 191, Ohakune 211, Wanganui 207, Westport 151, Hokitika 129, Greymouth 116, Haast 172, Riwaka 214, Nelson 195, Blenheim 236, Grassmere 180, Kaikoura 153, Mt Cook 184, Mt John 259, Methven 202, Christchurch 180, Tekapo 259, Timaru 155, Waimate 139, Dunedin Aero 165, Dunedin 167, Queenstown 233, Alexandra 215, Invercargill 142, Campbell Is 100, Chatham Is 163].

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