DECEMBER'S WEATHER
As in recent months, December in Kāpiti was also fairly cloudy, with only eight completely sunny days, and except for Wellington, was the coolest place in central New Zealand. However, for most of the month rainfall was again below average, and we ended the year without any severe or extreme weather events in 2023.
Although the average daily maximum temperature of 21.1 degrees was only half a degree below average it couldn’t compete with the east coast who experienced some extremely high temperatures, unusual even for them so early in summer; no doubt due to El Niño and our cooling nor-westerly breezes off the sea.
But, we still enjoyed 24 days with temperatures of 20 degrees or over, the same as Blenheim, the warmest place in central New Zealand.
Rainfall of around 90 mm was average, this being the seventh consecutive month of average or below average rainfall. Sunshine totalled the equivalent of 15 sunny days compared with 22 in December 2022.
Statistics for the year show that autumn was our wettest season, with the highest rainfall in April amounting to 203 mm, while June was the driest with only 8 mm. January was the sunniest month with the equivalent of 21.5 days of sunshine, with February and November the cloudiest with only 13 sunny days. January was also the warmest with an average daily temperature of 24 degrees. Nine months of 2023 had above average temperatures, this December being one exception.
Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”
We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?
Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.
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41.5% Yes
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33.6% Maybe?
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24.9% No
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
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