- By Jane Nixon, Franklin Times
The sun will rise an hour later on Sunday morning, September 28, as Daylight Saving begins.
Daylight Saving starts each year on the last Sunday in September and ends on the first Sunday in April.
Most smartphones will automatically update at 2am, but other clocks such as oven and wall clocks will need to be manually updated.
New Zealand first introduced Daylight Saving time in 1927 and the Government last reviewed it in 2007.
Early Sunday morning was chosen for the changeover because fewer people are working at that time, reducing the impact on workers and employers.
MetService meteorologist Silvia Martino says while daylight hours are getting longer, because we have the shift forward by an hour, the sunrise will also shift for an hour.
“Today the sun rose at 6.02am Saturday, so on Sunday morning it will rise at 7.01am and will get earlier and earlier as the daylight hours get longer.
“It will take until mid-November to get back to the 6.02am sunrise again until we get to the summer solstice in December, when the earliest sunrise time will be just before 6am.”
Martino says showers are forecast late Saturday morning and thunderstorms may pass through in the afternoon.
Sunday is set for slightly better weather, but still the chance of a shower.
“We’ve still got some more showers rolling through on Monday but Tuesday and Wednesday look more settled and will bring some nice days to get outside.”
Fire and Emergency NZ urges to check smoke alarms
Meanwhile, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) urges people to make sure their smoke alarms are working.
“Working smoke alarms give you the best chance to survive a fire,” FENZ community education manager Tom Ronaldson says.
“Fire moves fast. You have less than three minutes before a fire is not survivable,” he says.
“When you’re sleeping, you’re unable to smell smoke. Working smoke alarms will wake you and allow you to get out and stay out.”
Last year 17 people tragically lost their lives in house fires, the highest number since 2014.
In many of these incidents there were smoke alarms in the home, but they were either not working or not in the right places.
“We’re asking you to make sure you have working smoke alarms in every bedroom, living room and hallway,” Ronaldson says.
“This will give you the earliest possible warning of a fire and ensure you and your whānau are able to get out.
“It’s important you test your smoke alarms regularly and give them a clean with the vacuum cleaner or duster. To test smoke alarms, push the button and wait till you hear the beep.
“If your smoke alarms don’t beep, replace them straight away.”
Ronaldson says while you’re checking your smoke alarms this weekend, take a few minutes to talk to your household about your three-step escape plan.
“To create a three-step escape plan, check you have working smoke alarms in the right places, identify your first and second escape routes from each room and agree on a safe meeting place,” he says.
“Practicing your three-step escape plan is a great way to entertain your tamariki these school holidays, and to make sure they know how to get out in an emergency.”
It’s also a good time to check in on vulnerable whānau, friends or neighbours. People over 60 were the largest group represented in last year’s fatal fires.
“Ensure they have working smoke alarms and can get out of their home safely in a fire,” Ronaldson says.
