A mixed month of sunshine and rain has held Whakatāne in fifth place in the 2023 Sunshine Hours Race.
According to data from NIWA's Climate Database, Whakatāne recorded 146 hours of sunshine in June, only one hour less last month than 2022 winner, New Plymouth.
Whakatāne's 146 hours in June is only four hours more than the 142 hours recorded in May.
Whakatāne sits 159 hours behind New Plymouth who still remains in first place followed by Lake Tekapo, Richmond and Blenheim.
Whakatāne has so far recorded 1089 hours of sunshine this year compared to New Plymouth's 1248 hours.
Kawerau is sitting in eighth place on the standings, recording 136 hours in June and 868 hours to date.
Public Interest Journalism funded through New Zealand On Air.