Figure 8.1: New Zealand average surface temperature, 1853–2006
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Note: The bars represent annual anomalies, that is, the difference in temperature in an individual year compared with the average for the 1971–2000 period. The straight line represents the linear trend in temperature anomaly between 1920 and 2006.
Source: Ministry for the Environment, 2004; National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.
Text description of figure
The difference in temperature in an individual year compared with an average for the 1971-2000 period is plotted for each year between 1853 until 2006. From 1853 there is a predominance of years during which the average temperature was lower than the 1971-2000 period. Between 1970 and 2006, 23 years have shown average temperatures greater than the 1971-2000 period. From 1920 until 2006 there is a linear trend in increasing temperature anomaly.
