This autumn was the second hottest on record, with a nationwide average temperature of 14.7 degrees celcius.
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) said this autumn was the hottest on record in many places around the country, and the second warmest overall. Only 1938 was warmer.
The exceptional warmth was caused by north-westerly wind flows throughout the season, as well as warmer than usual sea surface temperatures.
The hottest day this autumn was in Hastings, Napier and Gisborne in early March, when the temperature reached 33.1°C
Whangarei, Hastings, Gisborne, Palmerston North and Gisborne were among the places where the average autumn temperature broke records. It was the second warmest autumn in most other places.
The nationwide average temperature was 12.9°C in May - the warmest May since NIWA's temperature series began in 1909.
