Temperatures in upper South Island NZ are up 6 or 7 degrees above "average"

Temperatures in upper South Island NZ are up 6 or 7 degrees above normal and pasture growth's up 30 to 40 percent
The last time we had a "normal" winter in Wellington with frosts was in 2003 (15 years ago).

The media reports the news as if temperatures that are 6 or 7 degrees Centigrade above “average” are not even worth reporting on. Instead we get wishful thinking such as “winter is on its way”.

“A farmer in Marlborough says he's in the land of milk and honey... but at the same time he admits it's eerily concerning as temperatures are up 6 or 7 degrees above normal and pasture growth's up 30 to 40 percent. It's not surprising that winter feed crops are looking fantastic as soil temperatures are a warm 12 degrees at 10 centimetres. Rams on lower hill country properties have completed their task. Ewes have gone onto on winter rotation and despite them eating all the grass in front of them it's popping up just as quickly behind. In vineyards pruning's about to get underway.”

https://www.radionz.co.nz/programmes/regional-wrap/story/2018694497/regional-wrap