March 2024 was Cool and Dry
March in Kāpiti, like most of central New Zealand, was around a degree cooler than normal, and much drier.
Our daily average maximum temperature of 20.3C was 1.4C cooler than the 13-year average, and almost a degree cooler than March 2023. But, despite lower temperatures we still reached 20C on 21 days, so it could qualify as a summer month.
As usual for time of year, east coast Blenheim and Masterton, at 21.6C had the highest average maximums in central New Zealand, with Nelson, Levin and Lower Hutt virtually the same as Kāpiti. However, Kāpiti’s overall mean temperature of 16.0C was the highest in central New Zealand,
We enjoyed the equivalent of 19 sunny days, only one fewer than average.
Total rainfall of only just under 40mm was recorded at the airport making it the driest March in nine years, with most falling in one episode at the beginning of the month. The little rain received in the following three weeks did little to ease the drought-like conditions. March 2023 had almost three times this amount of rain.
In April we can look forward to temperatures averaging around 19.5C, with 17 sunny days.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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80.8% Yes
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16.3% No
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2.9% Other - I'll share below
Neighbourhood Challenge: Who Can Crack This One?
This belongs to you, but everyone else uses it.
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.