May 1960: It was mild and cloudy. The comparative absence of cold spells was beneficial for growth. Stock were reported to be doing well.

Rainfall: Rainfall was appreciably below average in eastern districts of both islands. In most of Canterbury it was less than half normal, and in coastal North Canterbury and about Christchurch it was one of the driest Mays on record. It was 50% wetter than usual in northernmost districts of both islands and also in parts of Bay of Plenty and Taumarunui. [Kerikeri 14.23”, Riwaka 8.33”].

Many thunderstorms were reported in western districts of the North Island on the 9th. In northern and eastern Northland some flooding was reported after 24-hour falls of 2”-6” on the 15th.

Temperatures: Temperatures were 1F-3F above average over the greater part of the North Island and also in northern and western districts of the South Island. Highest departures were recorded in Westland.

Sunshine: It was somewhat cloudier than usual, except in parts of Southland and Otago, Nelson and Taranaki, where the duration was about average. The deficiency amounted to 30 hours in Northland, Bay of Plenty, South Canterbury and parts of the Wellington province. The only station with appreciably more sunshine than average was Invercargill.

[Some totals: Te Hapua 127, Kaitaia 111, Kerikeri 106, Whangarei 108, Auckland 118, Tauranga 123, Whakatane 131, Taupo 117, Hamilton 110, New Plymouth 143, Masterton 100, Gisborne 135, Napier 133, Wairoa 113, Paraparaumu 123, Ohakea 123, Palmerston Nth 106, Levin 109, Wellington 98, Wanganui 131, Westport 115, Hokitika 130, Greymouth 113, Haast 113, Nelson 166, Blenheim 159, Grassmere 141, Kaikoura 126, Mt Cook 67, Methven 128, Christchurch 117, Tekapo 119, Timaru 104, Waimate 101, Omarama 138, Dunedin 104, Queenstown 94, Alexandra 104, Invercargill 113, Campbell Is 20, Chatham Is 74].

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