With Wednesday marking the first day of summer, NIWA says Kiwis should be looking forward to a "hot, humid" sunny season.
After a long COVID-hit year, most New Zealanders need a bit of sun and that's what is on the way.
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) released its latest seasonal climate outlook on Wednesday.
"Summer temperatures are very likely to be above average across the country," NIWA says. "Warm overnight temperatures and extended periods of high humidity are likely."
With New Zealand officially experiencing a La Niña, this is expected to be a key climate driver this summer, with a 70 percent chance of higher-than-usual temperatures.
La Niña influences rainfall, temperature, and wind patterns around the world, including New Zealand, according to NIWA.
Forecaster WeatherWatch says La Niña means more overnight and early morning drizzle and an increased chance of large, but isolated, downpours in the afternoon.
New Zealand will also experience more easterly quarter winds than normal, which will increase the chance for dry spells around the interior and west of both islands.
Even with New Zealand experiencing a La Niña, don't expect to see more rain.
Rainfall is most likely to be close to normal in the north and east of the North Island and about normal or below average in all other regions.
Helping drive up the temperatures is the warm sea temperatures around the country.
Water temperatures have ranged from 1.1C to 1.5C above average for November and current sea surface temperatures are already over 20C in the upper North Island.
Marine heatwave conditions - classified as when the sea temperature is above the 90th percentile for at least five days - have been observed in waters offshore of all regions of New Zealand.
This is comparable to the conditions observed in November 2017, which marked the beginning of an unprecedented marine heatwave around the country and in the Tasman Sea.
