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January temperature records could fall as hot spell forecast
Experts are warning of extreme heat and fire risk as temperatures are forecast to soar across the country on Friday.
The highs could shatter last year’s record, which was set just last month.
MetService issued heat alerts for Friday in Whakatāne, Napier, Hastings, Motueka, Blenheim and Kaikōura, where temperatures in the low to mid thirties were expected.
It said alerts were issued when the forecasted temperature exceeded the normal average for two consecutive days.
They were put out the day before the heat was due to strike – and there would likely be more to follow on Friday and Saturday.
MetService said the heat would really ramp up over the weekend, with forecasts indicating 35C to 37C around Hawke’s Bay, 30C to 31C in Northland, and 28C to 31C for North Canterbury and Marlborough.
That could surpass last year’s record high: Kawerau hit 35.6 degrees on 7 December.
The warmth was on its way from Australia, said MetService meteorologist Clare O’Connor.
“An area of high pressure is driving westerly winds over the Tasman, picking up moisture along the way and delivering that hot, moist air direct to our doorsteps,” she said.
“Some January temperature records are expected to tumble over the weekend, which highlights the extremes we could reach.”
Meanwhile Fire and Emergency warned that came with increased fire risk – particularly in Canterbury, Marlborough, Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay, Tairāwhiti and Northland.
“This weekend, many parts of the country will be experiencing elevated fire danger conditions, with temperatures expected to surpass 30 degrees in some locations, wind gusts of 30km/h at times, and low humidity,” said FENZ deputy chief executive Nick Pyatt.
“These conditions are what we call a perfect storm for wildfire risk.”
People caused 97 percent of wildfires in Aotearoa, he said.
Pyatt urged people not to light outdoor fires, and to put off activities that could generate sparks, like mowing the lawn and using power tools.
“In these conditions, all it takes is one spark or ember to start a wildfire that will get out of control quickly and be very difficult for our crews to control.”
Climate change causing hotter, drier conditions
Fire and Emergency wildfire manager Tim Mitchell said there has been an increase in wildfires, as well as fires in more remote places.
Climate change is causing hotter, drier and more variable conditions, he said.
Other factors including housing sprawl into more rural areas, the increasing use of lithium ion batteries, more powerful vehicles that allow access to remote areas and technologies such as catalytic converters that mean cars run at higher temperatures are also adding up to increased fire risk.
He said drivers need to be cautious of hot exhaust pipes and undersides of cars when driving over grass.
“Kiwi’s really enjoy getting out into the natural environment … their tools, whether it be an electric bike or a 4WD vehicle, that can take them more remote locations might be a reason we’re seeing more fires in places we haven’t necessarily seen before.”
It’s thought a fire in the Whangārei Hospital carpark late last year that damaged dozens of cars was caused by a hot exhaust starting a vegetation fire.
Catalytic converters can heat up to hundreds of degrees.
“As carbon builds up in the exhaust system, to help with energy efficiency and environmental standards, vehicles do what’s called a burn-out process, where it burns any carbon deposit built up in the exhaust so the systems are operating to maximum performance.
“When it does that the temperatures in the exhaust systems raise quite a lot. If that’s done at the same time as the person is driving over dry vegetation, those high temperatures contribute to sources for ignition,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said cool and at times rainy conditions for parts of the country over Christmas may have lulled some into a false sense of security, and while it meant Canterbury was not as dry as it can be, the high temperatures, winds and relative humidity were enough to push the fire danger in eastern areas of the South Island into extreme.
Firefighters to strike on Friday
Paid firefighters are due to strike for an hour from 12pm-1pm on Friday, amid ongoing negotiations over pay and conditions between the Professional Firefighters’ Union and FENZ.
FENZ asked the union to call it off “given heightened fire risks and the fact both parties are due to meet for facilitation later this month.”
But the union’s national secretary, Wattie Watson said the strike would go ahead.
She said there was increased fire risk all the time due to insufficient staffing and equipment from FENZ.
Watson said members take the industrial action very seriously, and did not have another option for putting pressure on FENZ ahead of bargaining.
Wellington enjoyed a fine and sunny day on Thursday. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Capital soaks up the sun
Wellingtonians were treated to a rare still, sunny day on Thursday.
Churton Park residents Emma and Harry headed to Oriental Bay to soak up the sun.
“Such a beautiful day, not much wind,” Emma said.
It was far busier than usual at this time of year, she said.
Inspired by the conditions, Harry took an a impromptu dip: “couldn’t have been better,” he said.
Jen was on the waterfront with her mum, who was visiting from Scotland.
“No wind, which is lovely, just enjoyed coffee and ice cream and soaking [up] the vibes of the beach,” she said.
Christchurch family Emily, Nathan, Lexi, Xavier were joined by grandmother Betty-Ann who was visiting from England.
They’d ordered an ice cream and said had been a beautiful day at the beach – much warmer than the -3 degrees Betty-Ann had left back home.
Gisborne gears up for busy beach weekend
Crews were still working hard to clear logs and driftwood from Gisborne beaches after last weekend’s storm ahead of the scorching weekend, the district council said.
Waikanae and Midway beaches were still littered with woody debris, with people warned to stay away while it’s removed.
“Progress is slower than expected because a lot of debris is washed up high past the tide line, a lot is smaller and thicker with big logs underneath,” it said.
“There’s more debris than initially estimated too – around 8,600m³ of debris along 1.5kms – roughly double the last clean-up.”
The council said it’s a big job and won’t be completed by the weekend – but crews are doing their best to clear space for beachgoers.
Gisborne will also host the national surfing championships this weekend.
~ RNZ
The chief executive of the Parliamentary Service is confident there will be enough room to accommodate the increased number of MPs and their staff coming into Parliament.
On current numbers, up to 131 MPs could be sitting in the Chamber following the election, brought on by a record overhang result.
Clerk of the House of Representatives Dr David Wilson told the Spinoff that currently the debating chamber had enough chairs to seat 124 MPs – including the Speaker of the House – and work was being done to accommodate more by altering the seating arrangement.
In a statement, Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero said planning for a larger Parliament had been going for “some time”.
“Now that the election results have confirmed an increase to the number of members we are looking at several options.
“We are confident we will be able to accommodate all members within the Chamber.”
VNP / Phil Smith
Gonzalez-Montero said office accommodation for members and their staff would be “stretched” for a short time, but the new Members’ Building was only a few months away from “practical completion”.
That building – located behind Parliament – was due to be ready to occupy in April next year and had capacity to accommodate around 30 backbench MPs.
“All members should be in fit-for-purpose accommodation from that point,” Gonzalez-Montero said.
Following the 2023 election, 123 MPs sat in the Chamber – a record number at the time. That decreased to 122 following the resignation of National MP Judith Collins.
Collins held the seat of Papakura and stepped down in May and Parliament voted against holding a by-election because it was too close to the election.
The election result also meant high-ranking National Party MPs like Chris Bishop, Paul Goldsmith, Nicola Willis and Gerry Brownlee – Speaker of the House and an MP for 30 years – would likely not make it back into Parliament.
Only resigning or retiring MPs were permitted to give a valedictory speech meaning none of them would get the chance to give a valedictory statement.
Asked if their would be special allowances for valedictories, Wilson said in a statement that normally only MPs were allowed to speak in the House but the House could suspend its own rules or temporarily alter them.
“It could do so to allow former members to address the House.”
Wilson said no such arrangements could be made until the next Parliament opened and members sworn in.
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