Best time to go to New Zealand for a perfect weather and where to go?

Where and when to go based on the weather?

Best time to travel to New Zealand by cities

Best time to go to Auckland

Best time to go to Christchurch

Best time to go to Dunedin

Best time to go to Queenstown

Best time to go to Rotorua

Best time to go to Wellington

Best time to go to Tauranga

Best time to go to Abel Tasman National Park

Best time to go to Akaroa

Best time to go to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

Best time to go to Cape Reinga

Best time to go to Castlepoint

Best time to go to Cathedral Cove

Best time to go to Coromandel

Best time to go to Franz Josef / Waiau

Best time to go to Haast

Climate and Weather in New Zealand

Located in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, not far from Australia, Fiji, and New Caledonia, New Zealand is a country made up of two main islands where you can find a multitude of volcanoes and glaciers. It is situated in the southern hemisphere and therefore experiences reversed seasons compared to Europe.

The climate in New Zealand is semi-tropical and temperate depending on the regions.

Indeed, the weather in New Zealand is influenced by the ocean as well as the Antarctic which is quite close to the southern part of the country. Thus, the South Island is particularly cold while the North Island is warmer but relatively humid. It is worth noting, however, that almost the entire territory experiences more than 2,000 hours of sunshine per year. Therefore, the climate of New Zealand is rather sunny and pleasant.

New Zealand Climate: North Island

The North Island, also known as the "smoking island," benefits from a subtropical climate, especially in its extreme north. Weather conditions can vary greatly throughout the day.

The weather is drier and sunnier in the east and south of the North Island. For example, in Wellington, the capital, there is plenty of sunshine all year round with temperatures around 20°C in summer and 12°C in winter. However, it is best to avoid the cooler and rainier months of July and August. The capital is also located in a very windy region, which tends to affect the perceived temperatures.

Moreover, in Auckland and Hamilton, in the northern part of the island, the climate is warm and humid. In this tropical zone, rain falls throughout the year. However, it is more abundant from June to September, with around 15 rainy days per month. Nevertheless, the rainfall is not very high, reaching only 130mm per month.

Furthermore, in the north, the weather is ideal between November and April, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 25°C. Winters enjoy a very pleasant mildness, despite frequent showers. For example, in Auckland, temperatures range between 14 and 17°C during the months of June to October.

On the other hand, the sea temperature in this region is never very high, but swimming is possible in summer. For instance, it reaches 23°C in February in Tauranga.

New Zealand Climate: South Island

The South Island, also known as the "Jade Island," has a fairly temperate climate, but very cold in the extreme south. Experiencing four seasons in one day is not uncommon in this region as well.

This part of New Zealand is particularly dry in the east, although some humidity from the North Island can be found in certain areas.

Moreover, some regions are almost arid, such as the town of Alexandra located inland. However, this town is particularly cold with temperatures sometimes dropping below freezing in winter.

The sea temperature in this region is always cold, ranging from about 10 to 15°C.

Climate in the West of the South Island

While precipitations are frequent throughout the year on this island, they are more abundant in the west. For example, in Westport, there are over 200 mm of precipitation from April to October. Additionally, in this town, the climate remains relatively cool all year round, with an average maximum of 20°C in summer.

Climate in the South of the South Island

It is important to note that snow frequently falls in winter on the Jade Island, especially in the south. Cold, moisture-laden winds also make winter temperatures even more challenging. In Invercargill, for instance, freezing temperatures are common from May to September. Temperatures range from 7 to 13°C on average during this period.

Moreover, while winter is a cold, cloudy, and relatively rainy season in this region, there are also some showers in spring and summer. October and January are, in fact, the rainiest months in the far south, unlike the rest of the island.

Between December and February, temperatures range from 12 to 18°C on average. Therefore, there are no extreme heat waves even during the summer.

Climate in the East of the South Island

Furthermore, the east coast of the South Island, protected by mountains, experiences a different climate. The weather is drier there, and slightly warmer temperatures can be enjoyed.

For example, in the tourist city of Christchurch, temperatures range from 6 to 12°C in winter and from 15 to 23°C in summer. It may rain a few days per month throughout the year, but rainfall is very low. Therefore, the sun is predominantly present in this region.

Temperatures and rainfall in New Zealand

On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of New Zealand and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown and Rotorua, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.

Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in New Zealand

Find out when New Zealand has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.

Tourist seasons in New Zealand

The months with low numbers of tourists are: April, May, June, July, August, September and October. The number of visitors to New Zealand is high in: January, February, March, November and December.

• Very low season in New Zealand: May, June, July, August and September.
• Low season in New Zealand: April and October.
• High season in New Zealand: March and November.
• Peak season in New Zealand: January, February and December.

Figure: Visitor index for New Zealand month by month

Average price for flights to New Zealand

Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to New Zealand

Where to go in New Zealand?

This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).

Legend:

About New Zealand

What can I do in New Zealand?

Beaches / swimming

Nature and countryside

Culture and heritage

Sports

Family travel

Crafts / shopping

Gastronomy

Nightlife