Sunshine hours are relatively high in areas that are sheltered from the west and most of New Zealand would have at least 2000 hours annually.
The midday summer solar radiation index (UVI) is often very high in most places and can be extreme in northern New Zealand and in mountainous areas. Autumn and spring UVI values can be high in most areas.
2006 Sunshine levels
Nelson was the sunniest centre in 2006, recording 2580 hours, followed by Blenheim with 2528 hours, and then Tauranga with 2507 hours.
Sunshine hours were more than 110 percent of normal in Bay of Plenty, Southland, coastal Otago, and inland South Canterbury. Invercargill recorded its sunniest year on record.
Totals were at least 105 percent of normal in many South Island regions, as well as Northland, Auckland, and Gisborne. Sunshine hours were near normal elsewhere.
Source: NIWA