Dry conditions in South Taranaki caused by the current La Nina weather pattern could mean further restrictions on how much water can be taken from rivers, Taranaki Regional Council has warned. The environmental watchdog is keeping a close eye on rainfall levels, soil moisture, river flows and climate across the region, with most of the Council’s monitoring sites recording less rain than usual over the last three months. Council data for the lowest rainfall sites shows Pātea recorded 61% of
river beds. As of last week, five of the seven monitored river sites and one lake were unsuitable for swimming (for humans or dogs) due to cyanobacteria (toxic algae). We will continue to monitor these sites until they return to normal, posting the results on LAWA each week. We’ll do a full analysis of the summer’s results, but most of the samples that exceeded guideline levels were taken after heavy or prolonged rain. We know heavy rain washes contaminants off the land into rivers and out to sea.
December continued 2024’s trend for lower rainfall with an average of 108.3mm - 34% less than usual. On average across Taranaki there was 14% less rainfall than normal across all rain gauges with year-to-date rainfall lowest at Waitōtara at Hawken Rd with 28% less than usual. In December, there was 63% less rain at Kaupokonui at Glenn Rd and 11% less at Motunui M39 at Weston W3. Mean river flows for December were 31.8% lower than typical values, low flows were 21.9% greater, and high flows
and year to date totals for rain gauge sites in Taranaki.
April Year to Date
Rain gauge # days
with rain
Total
rain
(mm)
% of
typical
month
Total to
date (mm)
% of typical
year to date
% of typical
full year
Records
Began
North Egmont at
Visitors Centre 18 519.0 102.1 1359.0 79.3 19.6 1991
Dawson Falls 17 512.0 106.4 1213.0 79.9 20.4 1933
Kapoaiaia at Kahui
Hut 20 485.0 120.6 1178.0 91.8 22.4 2006
Mangorei Upper at
Forest Hill 15
and year to date totals for rain gauge sites in Taranaki.
March Year to Date
Rain gauge # days
with rain
Total
rain
(mm)
% of typical
month
Total to
date (mm)
% of typical
year to date
% of typical
full year
Records
Began
North Egmont at
Visitors Centre 15 374.5 89.7 840.0 69.7 12.1 1991
Dawson Falls 19 351.0 95.7 701.0 67.5 11.8 1933
Kapoaiaia at Kahui
Hut 22 288.0 91.0 693.0 78.6 13.2 2006
Mangorei Upper at
Forest Hill 19 165.5 64.4
Rainfall February and year to date totals for rain gauge sites in Taranaki.
February Year to Date
Rain gauge # days
with rain
Total
rain
(mm)
% of typical
month
Total to
date (mm)
% of typical
year to date
% of typical
full year
Records
Began
North Egmont at
Visitors Centre 13 221.0 56.8 465.5 59.1 6.7 1991
Dawson Falls 10 167.5 49.9 350.0 52.1 5.9 1933
Kapoaiaia at Kahui
Hut 15 159.0 60.4 405.0 71.7 7.7 2006
Mangorei Upper at
Forest Hill 11
The dry conditions Taranaki has experienced in 2025 continued in March with an average rainfall of 153.6mm - that’s 31% less than usual. This ranged from 66% less at Brooklands Zoo in New Plymouth, and 19% more at Pātea at Bore 3. Brooklands Zoo also has the lowest year-to-date rainfall – also at 66% less than usual – while Omahine at Moana Trig has had the highest year to date rainfall with 30% less. On average there has been 47% less than normal across all rain gauges. Mean river flows for
June has continued this year’s trend for dryer weather with an average of 108.8mm of rain – 37% less than normal. On average there has been 23% less rain than normal across all rain gauges in the region with the lowest year-to-date rainfall at Waitotara at Hawken Rd with 44% less than normal. June’s figures show there was 57% less rain at Waitotara at Ngutuwera, and 7% more at Motunui M39 at Weston W3. Mean river flows were 34.4% lower than typical values, low flows were 2.8% lower, and high
October continued this year’s trend for lower than average rainfall – but only just! There was an average of 158.2mm – that’s 1% less than usual – for the month, ranging from 26% less rain at Kaupokonui at Glenn Rd, and 22% more at Waitotara at Hawken Rd. On average there has been 12% less rainfall than normal across all rain gauges, with year-to-date rainfall lowest at Waitotara at Hawken Rd with 26% less rainfall than normal while the Pohokura Saddle has had the highest year-to-date rainfall
Summer arrives fast in Taranaki. Spring’s mix of rain and sunshine keeps the garden fresh and lush until Christmas, but then suddenly the gods flick the switch and a big halogen bulb shines down bringing warm seas and blue skies. Green lawns turn into light browns and trees show signs of water stress, meaning it’s time to haul out the irrigation hoses and check for those inevitable leaks. Luckily, Tūpare’s trees provide plenty of shade, protecting much of the garden from the harshest sun. But