Rainfall data for April - shows parts of the country were uncharacteristically wet

Niwa says the rain in April was above - or well above normal - for northern parts of both islands, as well as Taranaki, Western Wellington, Central Otago and parts of Canterbury.

Mirroring those areas - rainfall well below normal was recorded for Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Whanganui , Wairarapa, Dunedin and South Otago.