New Zealand experiences hottest June on record despite polar blast

Average temperatures for the month were 2C higher than normal, with 24 separate locations hitting their own records

New Zealand has experienced its hottest June since records began more than 110 years ago, according to official climate data.

Despite a polar blast that swept up the country last week, figures from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research's (NIWA) show the average temperature for June was 2C warmer than usual, with twenty-four locations around the country hitting their own record highs.