February 1964:  The severe drought in Northland was alleviated by rain during the week beginning on the 9th, and also during the last 4 days of the month. While appreciable totals of over 4” fell near Whangarei and Kerikeri, in other areas to the north, west and south of the district the amount was much less, and insufficient for a lasting improvement to pasture and soil moisture. Various other parts of the country still had problems with dryness, but in Canterbury and Manawatu crops were generally good and the dry weather suited harvesting.

Rainfall: Rainfall for the month was below average in most of the country, less than 1/4 of average being recorded in large areas in Southland, North and Central Otago, and central Canterbury where in several areas the month’s rainfall was one of the lowest on record. In parts of Nelson rainfall was more than double the average, and the only other areas with above average totals were Central Marlborough, North Taranaki, Rotorua, western Bay of Plenty, the Waikato and some small areas of Hawkes Bay and Northland. Most of the rain came in the second half of the month and in many places it came in the last 4 days. At Whangamomona 6.7” fell on the 27th, with severe local flooding. Much of the month’s rain was associated with thunderstorms and was very unevenly distributed, especially in the north and east of the North Island. There was local damage resulting from brief heavy rains and lightning in a number of places in the Auckland province, Hawkes Bay, Nelson and Marlborough in the two periods 14th-16th and 27th-29th.

Temperatures: In most of the country it was 1F-2F warmer than average, but in coastal areas of South Canterbury and Otago, and from Napier north it was 1F-2F cooler than normal. There was a marked cold period from the 20th to about the 24th in southern and eastern districts and in Wellington province. Light snowfalls were reported on the Otago ranges on the 20th and on Ruapehu. Frosts of unusual severity for the time of year occurred in central areas of the North Island from the 22nd-24th.

Sunshine: Sunshine was above average in most of the country, but east coast areas of the South Island had near average values. The far north and northeast of the North Island and the north and west of the South Island were 10-20 hours above normal, while in most other districts sunshine was 30-50 hours above average. New Plymouth (284) and Wanganui (275) had record high values for February.

[Some totals: Te Hapua 195, Kaitaia 210, Kerikeri 188, Whangarei 187, Auckland 227, Tauranga 244, Whakatane 253, Taupo 228, Opotiki 236, Hamilton 207, New Plymouth 284, Masterton 231, Gisborne 225, Napier 248, Wairoa 232, Paraparaumu 255, Ohakea 262, Palmerston Nth 236, Levin 244, Wellington 235, Stratford 253, Ohakune 239, Wanganui 275, Westport 195, Hokitika 191, Greymouth 195, Haast 167, Nelson 228, Blenheim 230, Grassmere 212, Kaikoura 179, Mt Cook 200, Methven 193, Christchurch 184, Tekapo 250, Timaru 163, Waimate 152, Dunedin Aero 191, Dunedin 174, Queenstown 216, Alexandra 245, Invercargill 195, Campbell Is 77, Chatham Is 118].


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