An ''exceptionally'' warm June and a late warm spell failed to produce another record-setting winter, Niwa has confirmed.
Winter was especially mild for the South Island, where temperatures were mostly above average (0.5degC to 1.2degC above), although parts of Central Otago were even warmer, at more than 1.2degC above normal, Niwa forecaster Chris Brandolino said.
In June, a northeasterly flow anomaly dominated across the country, contributing to the ''exceptionally warm start to winter''.
''Despite June being New Zealand's warmest on record, the season was not a record-setter for warmth, due to near average temperatures in July and August.''
Another ''relatively warm spell'' hit the country in late July and early August, leading to record or near-record temperatures in many places, including Dunedin, which recorded its highest daily maximum temperature for winter (21.7degC), Balclutha its second-highest (20.9degC), Queenstown its third-highest (18.9degC) and Ranfurly its third-highest (18.4degC).
Wanaka and Tara Hills, in Central Otago, recorded their highest winter wind gusts of 93kmh and 98kmh respectively, on August 1.
Oamaru recorded its third-highest mean temperature of 7.6degC since records began in 1908 and its fourth-highest mean minimum of 3.2degC. Ranfurly recorded its third-highest mean maximum with 9.9degC since 1975 and its second-highest mean minimum of -0.7degC, while 11.9degC on August 2 was its highest winter minimum.
Alexandra also recorded its equal second highest minimum temperature of 11.6degC, and Nugget Point 10.5degC, on August 2 and 1 respectively.
The national average temperature was 9.1degC. Dunedin's average, 0.7degC warmer than normal, was 7.9degC. The city also recorded its second-highest daily minimum temperature of 13.3degC, on August 1.
Rainfall was above normal in Wanaka but along the east coast it was below normal. Dunedin received only 54% of its normal winter rainfall (93mm) which made it the driest of New Zealand's six main centres, while Dunedin airport recorded its fourth-lowest rainfall of 69mm (52% of normal).
Alexandra had its fourth-lowest winter rainfall, recording 43mm (54% of normal).
Queenstown recorded 433 hours of sunshine, its second-highest total since records began in 1930, and Cromwell 394 hours, its fourth-highest since records began in 1979.
