Are there many deserts in new zealand?

Answer 1

Some parts of Central Otago do receive less than 200mm of rain per year - a common definition of a desert. Much relieved these days by irrigation.

In the north island, there used to be two named deserts, the Rangipo and the Kiangaroa, but these were deserts because of previous ash fall from volcanic eruptions from the Central Volcanic Group. This caused elemental deficiencies, but these have now been remedied.