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
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
Map 1a. YTD total rain (mm) and percentage of long-term mean.
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Table 1: Rainfall monthly and year to date totals at 27 rain gauge sites in Taranaki.
page
December 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
N Egmont VC 15 365.0 61 8117.5 118 118 1991
Dawson Falls 16 383.0 88 8349.0 141 141 1933
Kahui
joining the
Kurapete Stream upstream of the Everett Road Bridge. In an emergency (e.g., during a sustained heavy rain
event), Ponds B and C are bypassed as water is pumped directly from Pond A to Pond D where it travels
through the system to Pond F. Contouring and bunding of the site directs stormwater to Ponds A and A1 to
A3 (See Appendix III for a detailed Stormwater Management map). Ponds A1 to A3 form a closed system in
1 The Council has used these compliance grading criteria for
February only had an average of 60.8mm of rainfall – 75% less than usual. This ranged from 97% less than normal at Waitōtara at Hawken Rd, and 42% less at Pohokura Saddle. Year to date rainfall is lowest at Kaupokonui at Glenn Rd with 72% less rainfall than normal, Omahine at Moana Trig has had the highest year-to-date rainfall with 33% less than normal, on average there has been 57% less than normal across all rain gauges. Mean river flows for February were 42.7% lower than typical values, low
The dryer than normal year continued last month with an average of 41% less rain than usual in Taranaki. The average rainfall total for the month was 104.5mm and there was 62% less rain at Kotare at OSullivans, and 12% less at Kaupokonui at Glenn Rd. Year-to-date rainfall is lowest at Waitotara at Hawken Rd with 43% less rainfall than usual and on average there has been 19% less than normal across all rain gauges. Mean river flows for May were 40.8% lower than typical values, low flows were
rain (mm) and percentage of long-term mean
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Table 1: October 2022 - Rainfall totals at 27 rain gauge sites in Taranaki
Hydro_Sites # days
with rain
Total rain
(mm)
% of typical
month
Total to
date (mm)
% of typical
year to date
% of typical
full year
Records
Began
N Egmont VC 21 469.0 62 6997.0 120 101 1991
Dawson Falls 19 501.5 94 7332.0 145 124 1933
Kahui Hut 21 306.0 60 5265.0 121 101 2006
Forest Hill 16 289.0 91 3798.5 128 106
Map1a. YTD total rain (mm) and percentage of long-term mean
page
Table 1: Table 1: Rainfall monthly and year to date totals at 27 rain gauge sites in Taranaki.
page
November Year to Date
Hydro_Sites # days
with rain
Total rain
(mm)
% of typical
month
Total to
date (mm)
% of typical
year to date
% of typical
full year
Records
Began
N Egmont VC 24 755.5 154 7752.5 123 112 1991
Dawson Falls 26 634.0 151 7966.0 146 135 1933
Taranaki.
August Year to Date
Rain Gauge
# days
with
rain
Total
Rainfall
(mm)
% of
typical
month
Total to
date (mm)
% of typical
year to date
% of
typical full
year
Records
Began
North Egmont at Visitors
Centre 19 1843.5 279 5954.5 139 89 1991
Dawson Falls 20 1801.0 387 6322.0 211 140 1933
Kapoaiaia at Kahui Hut 20 1237.5 264 4526.5 143 92 2006
Mangorei Upper at Forest
Hill 16 665.5 162 3240.5 139 91 2017
Waiwhakaiho at
Hillsborough