Many New Zealanders are noticing the extra sunlight now that we’re several weeks past the shortest day of the year. 

Due to the shape and tilt of the earth, those in the lower South Island are seeing the biggest difference, with almost an hour of extra daylight compared to the shortest day around June 21/22.

Northern New Zealand has well over half an hour of extra sunlight today compared to six weeks ago.

Each night that passes is getting about 2 or 3 minutes shorter – or put another way, about 15 to 20 minutes a week brighter.

The days get longer, fastest, in September as we rush towards the Equinox on September 23rd. After that date the days become longer than the nights.

The longest day of the year this year will be Dec 22nd.

*please note, we’re aware some of the times don’t perfectly match sunrise/sunset times on our website/app. A fix for the site/app is coming in the near future.

The times, and how they are changing…

Auckland / Northern NZ
June 22: Sunrise 7:34am – Sunset 5:11pm
August 1: Sunrise 7:20am – Sunset 5:35pm
   38 minutes extra daylight

Wellington / Central NZ
June 22: Sunrise 7:47am – Sunset 4:58pm
August 1: Sunrise 7:30am – Sunset 5:25pm
   50 minutes extra daylight

Dunedin / Southern NZ
June 22:  Sunrise 8:20am – Sunset 4:59pm
August 1: Sunrise 7:58am – Sunset 5:31pm
   54 minutes extra daylight

– Image / WeatherWatch.co.nz
– WeatherWatch.co.nz, TimeandDate.com