In the first 21 days of December, 116mm of rain fell on Wanaka - almost twice the usual monthly total average of 60mm.
Only one December has been wetter - 185mm rain fell in 1995 - since records for the resort began in 1992.
This year, the resort has already had more rain than the next highest record, set in 2004 when 112mm of rain fell.
Ironically, the driest December on record was in 1999 - when Queenstown and Wanaka were cleaning up after the region was deluged by massive flooding the previous month.
The rain has lifted the levels of Lake Wanaka (278.08m above sea level), Lake Hawea (344.25m asl) and Lake Wakatipu (310.21m asl).
Farmers through the Lindis Pass and Waitaki Valley are happy.
Niwa's rainfall station at Omarama has recorded 135mm since the beginning of the month - more than twice the normal total December average of 54mm.
Wanaka Agricultural Contracting cropper Richard Woodhead says this December has been one of the best for hay, silage, and grain growing that he can remember.
Queenstown and Oamaru have had rainfall levels within the "normal average range" for December, of 76mm (average 63mm) and 74.2mm (71mm), respectively.
Clyde has recorded 76mm of rain, almost twice the normal total average for December.
However, record rainfall and a low fire risk have not resulted in fire authorities relaxing restrictions.
Queenstown Lakes rural fire chief Gordon Bailey said restrictions on fires would remain in place during the New Year.
"Normal rules apply. Any fire needs a permit," he said, citing holiday firefighting resources as the main reason.
Despite fine weather across the region yesterday, the forecast through to Christmas does not make for any rosier reading.
MetService predicts a southerly front to cross on Christmas Eve, bringing cool conditions and showers across Central Otago for Christmas Day.
Rainfall to Dec 21
Wanaka: 116.2mm (avg 60mm)
Omarama: 135.4mm (54mm)
Queenstown: 76.6mm (avg 63mm)
Clyde: 76.4mm (avg 41mm)
Oamaru: 74.2mm (71mm)
