New Zealanders needed their umbrellas more than ever last month, with some places breaking rainfall records.

Parts of Auckland, Bay of Plenty and Manawatu-Whanganui recorded 150 per cent more than the normal monthly average.

Hanmer Forest copped 120 millimetres of rain in one day - the wettest day there since records began.

Niwa forecaster Seth Carrier says the figures are interesting.

"There really weren't that many heavy rainfall events. This was more a matter of persistent and consistent rainfall, it was raining at least a little bit on many days during the month."

However, temperatures were above average too.

The mercury peaked at 26.6 degrees in Christchurch - the highest temperature recorded in the country.

Carrier said despite the rain, there was some sun too.

"The sunniest location in New Zealand is actually Whakatane and they've 1815 hours of bright sunshine so far this year and then second place is Blenheim and third place is Richmond."