Spit protection in focus as El Niño looms

“All signs point to a strong El Niño weather pattern this summer,” Dr Phil McDermott says. One of the strongest El Niño weather patterns on record is forecast to affect New Zealand in the coming months, bringing a different set of challenges for Mangawhai's coastline and reinforcing the importance of ongoing work to protect the spit. Mangawhai Matters member Dr Phil McDermott says that while the expected weather pattern should reduce the likelihood of the damaging north-easterly storms that battered Northland during the recent La Niña years, it does not eliminate the risk altogether. "All sign...