The sunny weather continued in Dunedin in March, with the city again receiving well above its usual sunshine hours for the month.
Further inland, record extreme temperatures were recorded in Central Otago.
It was particularly sunny in southern New Zealand, where totals were at least 120% of normal, Niwa principal scientist Jim Salinger said.
The city experienced 172 sunshine hours, 123% of normal, Niwa's national climate summary for March showed.
Dunedin, like other cities around the country, experienced a warmer March than December, with temperatures well above average everywhere, he said.
The national average was 16.5degC, 0.8degC above average, with average maximum temperatures 2degC above average in Central Otago, South Canterbury, Manawatu and Waikato to the Central Plateau.
In Dunedin, the mean temperature was 14.4degC, 0.6degC above normal.
Near record extreme temperatures were recorded on March 19 in 25 centres, including seven in Otago.
Clyde, Alexandra and Queenstown airport reached record highs for the month of 32.6degC, 33degC and 30degC respectively.
Dunedin airport recorded 32.1degC, the second-highest temperature since records began in 1963.
The national low of -1.6degC was recorded at Lauder on March 10.
Average rainfall occurred in much of Otago and Southland, with Dunedin receiving 75mm, 107% of normal.
Dr Salinger said March's overall climate pattern was produced by more anticyclones east of New Zealand, with ridges extending back across the country producing light winds over the South Island, and easterlies over the North Island.
