West of country getting wetter

Figures show the west of New Zealand is getting wetter.

Meteorologist Georgina Griffiths of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) studied rainfall gauge data between 1930 and 2004, which showed mean rainfall on the west of both islands had increased.

The trend was strongest in the South Island, where mean rainfall had increased between 10 per cent and 20 per cent since 1930, the Sunday Star-Times reported yesterday.

On the west coast of the North Island, the area between Wellington and Wanganui and north of Taumarunui showed no significant change in rainfall.

In the New Plymouth and Taumarunui areas, mean rainfall had increased between 5 per cent and 20 per cent.

On the east coast of the North Island, mean rainfall varied between no significant change at some locations to a 25 per cent decrease.

On the east coast of the South Island, mean rainfall varied between no change and a 15 per cent decrease.

Dr David Wratt, head of Niwa's National Climate Centre, said the findings were significant. "This is what's predicted in the climate models, so it suggests things are changing in the direction we expect," he said.

New Zealand and overseas experts meet in Wellington this week for a conference on climate change.

- NZPA