It has been the wettest start to a year on record for several locations around New Zealand, an unsurprising statistic after the recent wild weather that has hit the country.

NIWA reported from January 1 to April 17, 2017, Kaitaia, Auckland, Whatawhata, Hamilton, Rotorua, Lower Retaruke and Waipawa in the North Island and Arapito in the South Island have recorded their wettest start to a year on record.

Last year, New Zealand had one of the hottest starts to the year.