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Business Environment Profiles - New Zealand

Level of annual rainfall

Published: 20 May 2024

Key Metrics

Level of annual rainfall

Total (2025)

1604 Millimetres

Annualized Growth 2020-25

-1.7 %

Definition of Level of annual rainfall

This report analyses the level of annual rainfall in New Zealand, which represents the sum of monthly average rainfall levels across the country. The data for this report is sourced from the World Bank Group's Climate Change Knowledge Portal. Rainfall levels are measured in millimetres per financial year.

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Recent Trends – Level of annual rainfall

IBISWorld forecasts the level of annual rainfall to rise by 14.4% in 2024-25, to total 1,604.1 millimetres. Rainfall levels are highly volatile and therefore unable to be predicted with any certainty. Consequently, this represents the long-term average rainfall for New Zealand. According to the latest seasonal outlook from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research – NIWA (Taihoro Nukurangi), above normal rainfall is the least likely outcome for the period between April and June 2024. However, given the sharp decline in rainfall in 2023-24, a return to long-term average rainfall represents a robust increase.

New Zealand's climate is heavily influenced by its location. According to analysis from the World Bank Group, the country's surrounding ocean, prevailing westerly winds and mountain chains lead to more rainfall in the west and drier conditions in the east. In addition, climate conditions vary between the North and South Islands, with subtropical temperatures often occurring in the far north of the country, while the far south of the country has much cooler temperatures. According to NIWA, for the northern and central parts of the country, more rainfall typically occurs during the winter season. Conversely, for the southern parts of New Zealand, the majority of rainfall occurs during the summer season.

The level of annual rainfall is highly volatile. For example, rainfall levels rose strongly in 2019-20 with high rainfall levels across winter and spring compared to the prior year. Though, rainfall does vary from region to region as highlighted by Auckland recording 77 days of drought between January and April 2020, the longest on record for the region. The level of rainfall also increased strongly in 2022-23. Combined rainfall between April and November 2022 was up significantly on the same period in the previous year. Furthermore, rainfall was above or well above normal for most of the North Island (including record rainfall for Auckland). In 2023-24, rainfall in the major cities of Tauranga and Hamilton was lower in each month between June 2023 and February 2024 than prior comparative periods. Auckland and Christchurch also experienced reduced rainfall during most of this period. Overall, IBISWorld forecasts the level of annual rainfall will fall at a compound annual rate of 1.7% over the five years through 2024-25.

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5-Year Outlook – Level of annual rainfall

IBISWorld forecasts the level of annual rainfall to remain at the long-term average of 1,604.1 mi...

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