The Bay of Plenty was among several regions in the North Island which experienced above average sunshine levels in November.

Above normal (110-125 per cent of normal) sunshine was also observed in Northland, eastern Waikato, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.

A series of stormy low pressure systems also passed over New Zealand during November. These lows brought with them more rain, cloud and westerly winds than typically observed during the month. Rainfall was above normal (120-149 per cent of normal) for large parts of the North Island.

NIWA's climate outlook for summer predicts average or above average temperatures for most of the country, with rainfall either normal or below normal for the time of year.