Although I’ve never met him, I have heard that he’s quite the angry little Spaniard.

The insidious weather phenomenon predicted to befall New Zealand in the coming months, characterised by strong winds, severe deluges, prolonged drought and all around unruly weather, has been termed by meteorologists as the ‘El Nino’ effect…

Oh yes, he has been here before but this time, reportedly, he appears more pissed off than ever.

…Which given that much of Canterbury’s northern farming regions are still stricken by the drought resulting from last summer’s remarkable shortage of rainfall, similar to the US state of California, if this El Nino effect does result in the further abstinence of moisture, the whole of North Canterbury could easily end up a desert wasteland.

El Nino’s equally destructive counterpart, La Nina, who by all accounts is quite the tempestuous little maelstrom, in fact only departed New Zealand’s shores in recent years and while the El Nino effect is ultimately caused by high pressure thus warmer than usual temperatures at the Earth’s equator, La Nina is a result of basically the opposite equatorial weather pattern – not that it means she is any less bitchy than he.

The common question then will no doubt be: is this a further result of climate change?

My response: if it is, what the hell are you going to do about it?

Ultimately, New Zealand is in for some interesting weather over the next while. Strap in and enjoy the ride.

Article by Tim Walker

Edited by Wes Zuhr Cycle

Photography by Anne Grey Latina