No certainty New Zealand's summer will improve in coming months

NIWA says most regions have recorded less than 85-percent of their usual January sunshine, and rainfall totals are well above normal.

Weatherwatch says we're not getting many high pressure systems over New Zealand, and those we've had have been weak.

Head Forecaster Phil Duncan says going forward, there is good news - and bad news.

He says there is more high pressure this week and heading into February - but it'll be off and on.