Storm conditions predicted to last till May, thanks to climate change: expert

Hotter oceans, warm air, La Niña conditions, and climate change have all combined to create the strong cyclones that have battered the North Island in the past few weeks, with these conditions - and the possibility of more storms - lasting until May, according to experts.

Dr Joao de Souza, Moana Project director, and science lead and Research and Development manager, MetOcean Solutions, says that record-breaking ocean temperatures have fuelled the storms.