According to a Monday announcement by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), a yearly review of the snowline on the South Island's 50 glaciers has revealed dramatic evidence to prove that glaciers in New Zealand are melting away.

The NIWA report, which coincides with the forthcoming the United Nations' Copenhagen summit on climate change, reveals that almost 50 percent of the snow and ice of New Zealand's glaciers has been lost in the last nearly three decades.

Scientist Jordy Hendrikx further confirmed that the glaciers have again lost much more ice than what they had gained during the year that ended March, which marks the end of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

Statistically speaking, the glaciers have shriveled to their smallest size since 1977 when records began - with the last year survey showing a loss of 2.2 billion tons of permanent glacier ice over a one-year period.

Citing the reasons behind the rather disquieting melting of glacier ice, Hendrikx said along with above-normal temperatures and average rainfall over the Southern Alps during the bygone winter, the other factors contributing to the scenario included above-normal sunshine as well as noticeably below normal precipitation in late summer.

Commenting on the findings, Hendrikx said: "Over the long period of time there's a clear trend that we're seeing a reduction in ice. It's undeniable that we have altered the atmosphere."