Palaeocirculation across New Zealand during the last glacial maximum at ∼21 ka

► Multi-proxy evidence enabled a New Zealand (NZ) circulation reconstruction at ∼21 ka. ► Synoptic interpretations imply more frequent winter 'blocking' and summer W & S wind. ► The NZ LGM signature differs from the late 20th C pattern linked to ice advances. ► Climate regime time slices enable proxy comparisons to non-downscaled model results.