This report summarises climatic patterns giving rise to severe fire seasons at a number of locations throughout New Zealand. Analysis also includes factors contributing to high fire seasons nationally. This report defines regions of coherent change in monthly fire severity in relation to short-term climate variability. Based on fire severity ratings a total of 15 fire regions have been identified for New Zealand. Seven fire regions occur in each of the North and South Islands with a region straddling the North-South Island. For each region a description their key linkages between fire severity rating and climate predictors are described.