Decadal average surface temperature in New Zealand
New Zealand: Decadal average surface temperature was 10.72 °C in 2010. ▲ Rising
Decadal average surface temperature in New Zealand, 1940–2010
Source: Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in °C.
Analysis
In 2010, decadal average surface temperature in New Zealand stood at 10.72 °C. That is the highest value across all 8 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, decadal average surface temperature in New Zealand peaked at 10.72 °C in 2010 and was at its lowest, 8.9 °C, in 1940.
New Zealand ranks 149th of 193 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Decadal average surface temperature in New Zealand, year by year
| Year | °C | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1940 | 8.9 °C | — |
| 1950 | 9.63 °C | +8.2% |
| 1960 | 9.61 °C | -0.2% |
| 1970 | 10.21 °C | +6.3% |
| 1980 | 10.31 °C | +0.9% |
| 1990 | 10.09 °C | -2.1% |
| 2000 | 10.25 °C | +1.6% |
| 2010 | 10.72 °C | +4.6% |
New Zealand compared with similar countries
- New Zealand's 10.72 °C is below the median for high income countries, which is 12.2 °C, 88% of the median. (65 countries reporting)
- New Zealand's 10.72 °C is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 24.51 °C, 44% of the median. (27 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 8.9 °C | 8.9 °C | 8.9 °C | 1 |
| 1950s | 9.63 °C | 9.63 °C | 9.63 °C | 1 |
| 1960s | 9.61 °C | 9.61 °C | 9.61 °C | 1 |
| 1970s | 10.21 °C | 10.21 °C | 10.21 °C | 1 |
| 1980s | 10.31 °C | 10.31 °C | 10.31 °C | 1 |
| 1990s | 10.09 °C | 10.09 °C | 10.09 °C | 1 |
| 2000s | 10.25 °C | 10.25 °C | 10.25 °C | 1 |
| 2010s | 10.72 °C | 10.72 °C | 10.72 °C | 1 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
More reference data data for New Zealand
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.4532 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 9.92 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 10.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0459 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 10.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.52 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.53 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 42.17 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 47.53 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.2499 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is decadal average surface temperature in New Zealand?
- Decadal average surface temperature in New Zealand was 10.72 °C in 2010, according to Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest decadal average surface temperature recorded in New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 10.72 °C in 2010.
- What is the lowest decadal average surface temperature recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.9 °C in 1940.
- How does New Zealand rank for decadal average surface temperature?
- New Zealand ranks 149th out of 193 countries with data for 2010.
- Is decadal average surface temperature rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this New Zealand data come from?
- The figures come from Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Decadal average surface temperature. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 8 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Temperature of the air measured 2 meters above the ground, encompassing land, sea, and in-land water surfaces.