Standardised Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index in New Zealand

New Zealand: Standardised Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index was 0.469 in 2023. β—† Volatile

Latest (2023)
0.469
Change on year
down 57.3%
World rank
35th
of 189 countries
All-time high
2.26
in 1995
All-time low
-2.07
in 1973
Years of data
64
1960–2023

Standardised Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index in New Zealand, 1960–2023

-2-1012196019912023

Source: Global SPEI database (SPEIbase). https://spei.csic.es/database.html.

Analysis

In 2023, standardised precipitation-evapotranspiration index in New Zealand stood at 0.469.

The figure is down 57.3% on the previous year and up 234.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, standardised precipitation-evapotranspiration index in New Zealand peaked at 2.26 in 1995 and was at its lowest, -2.07, in 1973.

That places New Zealand 35th out of 189 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1960s -0.1709 -1.79 1.87 10
1970s 0.2928 -2.07 1.78 10
1980s -0.1624 -1.82 0.545 10
1990s 0.2229 -1.17 2.26 10
2000s -0.4432 -1.96 1.16 10
2010s -0.1969 -1.12 1.26 10
2020s 0.6084 -0.1567 1.1 4

Countries ranked near New Zealand

  1. 32 India 0.4919 compare
  2. 33 Cambodia 0.4913 compare
  3. 34 Haiti 0.474 compare
  4. 36 Togo 0.4388 compare
  5. 37 Estonia 0.4321 compare
  6. 38 Slovenia 0.4102 compare

See the full ranking of 189 places β†’

More environment data for New Zealand

All data for New Zealand β†’

Frequently asked questions

What is standardised precipitation-evapotranspiration index in New Zealand?
Standardised precipitation-evapotranspiration index in New Zealand was 0.469 in 2023, according to Global SPEI database (SPEIbase). https://spei.csic.es/database.html.
What is the highest standardised precipitation-evapotranspiration index recorded in New Zealand?
The highest recorded value was 2.26 in 1995.
What is the lowest standardised precipitation-evapotranspiration index recorded in New Zealand?
The lowest recorded value was -2.07 in 1973.
How does New Zealand rank for standardised precipitation-evapotranspiration index?
New Zealand ranks 35th out of 189 countries with data for 2023.
Is standardised precipitation-evapotranspiration index rising or falling in New Zealand?
Over the last ten years it is up 234.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this New Zealand data come from?
The figures come from Global SPEI database (SPEIbase). https://spei.csic.es/database.html, published as part of Standardised Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Standardised Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index in New Zealand. Statizoid, drawing on Global SPEI database (SPEIbase). https://spei.csic.es/database.html. Retrieved 17 August 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/stat/standardised-precipitation-evapotranspiration-index/new-zealand/

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About this data

Indicator
Standardised Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index
Source
Global SPEI database (SPEIbase). https://spei.csic.es/database.html
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
189 places, 12,095 data points, 1960–2023
Last refreshed

The SPEI fulfills the requirements of a drought index since its multi-scalar character enables it to be used by different scientific disciplines to detect, monitor, and analyze droughts. Like the sc-PDSI and the SPI, the SPEI can measure drought severity according to its intensity and duration, and can identify the onset and end of drought episodes. The SPEI allows comparison of drought severity through time and space, since it can be calculated over a wide range of climates, as can the SPI.