October 1964: In eastern districts of the South Island, October, like most previous months of the year, was unusually dry. On the other hand, over most of the Auckland province it was wetter than usual, as in the 3 previous months, leaving the ground too wet for many farmers.

Rainfall: Rainfall was less than half the average value in Otago and Canterbury; also on the Kaikoura Coast, about Wellington city, and in parts of Otago and Southland. Greatest deficiencies were recorded in Central Otago and inland North Otago and on the North Canterbury coast. Elsewhere in the South Island rainfall was mainly somewhat below normal, but over most of Nelson it was above average. In northern districts of the North Island as far south as Hamilton, Rotorua, and Tolaga Bay, and also in parts of northern Wairarapa, it was also wetter than average, mainly by 50%. Elsewhere in the North Island rainfall was somewhat below normal. The passage of a trough of low pressure with very strong northwesterly winds caused unusually heavy rainfall in and east of the Tararuas on the 24th, resulting in serious flooding in the Wairarapa. Eketahuna received 9.46” during 2 days.

The total rainfall for Oamaru for April to October was 5.03”, the lowest 7-monthly total for this station in nearly a century of observations. The total rainfall for Alexandra for the 12 months ending 31 October 1964 was 6.59”, the lowest yet recorded for any part of New Zealand over a 12-month period. [This record still stands.]

Temperatures: Temperatures were mainly close to average.

Sunshine: Sunshine was above average by 15-40 hours in Canterbury and Marlborough, and also in western areas from Wellington to New Plymouth, and in southern Hawkes Bay. Elsewhere it was mainly close to average. However, in Southland, the Southern Lakes district and around Dunedin it was 15-30 hours below average; while in northern Northland it was 15 hours below average.

[Some totals: Te Hapua 177, Kaitaia 170, Kerikeri 163, Whangarei 154, Auckland 189, Tauranga 214, Whakatane 199, Taupo 182, Opotiki 187, Hamilton 189, New Plymouth 204, Masterton 188, Gisborne 202, Napier 209, Wairoa 181, Paraparaumu 212, Ohakea 213, Palmerston Nth 160, Levin 190, Wellington 223, Stratford 195, Ohakune 181, Wanganui 207, Westport 159, Hokitika 171, Greymouth 152, Haast 181, Nelson 215, Blenheim 247, Grassmere 225, Kaikoura 229, Mt Cook 158, Mt John 212, Methven 214, Christchurch 215, Tekapo 225, Timaru 210, Waimate 196, Dunedin Aero 154, Dunedin 153, Queenstown 174, Alexandra 199, Invercargill 138, Campbell Is 68, Chatham Is 102].

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