Daylight savings tonight – switch clocks forward

Photo / Brett Phibbs

Daylight saving begins again tomorrow morning, bringing longer evenings but also warnings about safety in the sun.

Clocks should go forward an hour at 2am to become 3am tomorrow.

It was also a good time to check household emergency plans and smoke alarms, the Department of Internal Affairs said.

New Zealanders were also being urged to be safe in the sun as the days lengthened and ultraviolet radiation levels started to rise.

It was important not to underestimate the power of the sun at this time of year, said Wayde Beckman of SunSmart.

Peak ultraviolet radiation periods are generally between September and April, especially between 11am and 4pm.

Another contributing factor to high UV levels was the hole in the ozone layer, said Ben Liley of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.

"The Antarctic ozone hole is approaching its maximum size at this time of year. Though it doesn't affect us now, when the ozone hole breaks up we're affected by ozone depleted air travelling over New Zealand - meaning we have to be especially careful in the sun.

"The exact date of break-up of the ozone hole is not predictable, but it is usually in the early summer."

Daylight saving runs until April 4 next year.

It officially began in 1975 when clocks were put forward for an hour from the last Sunday in October until the first Sunday in March.

The country moved to an extended period of daylight saving in 2007, after a petition from United Future leader Peter Dunne and Nelson city councillor Mark Holmes.

- NZPA