IVP wrote:
> NZ is at a fairly low latitude and the difference between mid-day sun
> height during the year is significant

The yearly angle variation of the midday sun is the same everywhere on the
globe.  However, in the polar regions part of the time it is below the
horizon so the full angle spread can't be seen.

> Mid-summer solar noon is 76.6 degrees above the horizon, mid-winter
> solar noon is 29.7, almost 46.9 degrees difference

The earth is tilted about 23.5 deg, so you will see a variation of twice
that everywhere (outside the polar regions as noted above).

For example, I'm at about 42.5N, so the height of the midday sun varies fro=
m
42.5 + 23.5 =3D 66 deg at the summer solstice, to 42.4 deg at each equinox,=
 to
42.5 - 23.5 =3D 19 deg at the winter solstice.

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