Nelson has continued its run as New Zealand’s sunshine capital, recording 2056 sunshine hours by the end of September and the country’s highest temperature for the month, according to the latest Earth Sciences New Zealand climate summary.
The mercury reached 24.8 degrees in Nelson on 27 September, while the city kept its lead in the national sunshine rankings for 2026.
Nelson’s sunshine total put it ahead of Whakatāne on 2019 hours, New Plymouth on 1958 and neighbouring Richmond on 1954.
The summary noted it was a dry September. Reported rainfall in Nelson was below normal, receiving between 50% and 79% of usual monthly totals in some areas, while other parts of the region were well below normal with less than 50% of expected rainfall.
The dry conditions extended across most of the northern South Island, with Nelson and northern Tasman among the areas recording significantly lower rainfall than usual.
Despite the lack of rain, temperatures in Nelson were generally near average for September.
Earth Sciences New Zealand says that September’s weather was influenced by higher-than-normal air pressure over the Tasman Sea and lower pressure to the south and east of New Zealand, leading to more frequent southwesterly winds across the country.
By the end of the month, very strong El Niño conditions were present in the tropical Pacific.
For Nelson, the combination meant a dry start to spring but plenty of sunshine.
Nationwide, the average temperature for September was 11.0 degrees, which is 0.4 degrees above the 1991-2020 average. It was the country’s equal-22nd warmest September since records began in 1909.
The country’s lowest temperature was -6.1 degrees at Pukaki Aerodrome on 24 September.
The highest one-day rainfall total was 154mm at Mt Cook Village, while the strongest wind gust recorded during the month was 222kmh at Cape Turnagain.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith says he is confident Nelson will take out the sunshine crown for 2026 and even has a bottle of wine bet on the result with Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor.
“I am hopeful of celebrating in January with a bottle of their best Sauvignon Blanc.
“Although Nelson has won in 12 of the 25 years so far this century, my record as mayor is awful having been pipped by New Plymouth in 2025, Marlborough in 2024 and Lake Tekapo in 2023.”
