Visit New Zealand - When to Go To New Zealand

New Zealand

Food & wine
This small nation has established a name for fabulous wineries, many internationally acclaimed. Whilst most will point connoisseurs to the Marlborough region for the finest vintages, Hawkes Bay and Martinborough should not be ignored. A trip here would not be complete without trying the local 'fush 'n' chups' or traditional Maori fare either.
Food & wine
Landscapes
For a small country, New Zealand incorporates landscapes as diverse as they come. Mountains, volcanoes, beaches, lakes, fiords, valleys and caves - to the everyday traveller these remarkable sights are other-worldly. Both the North and South islands share many common features, but are also wonderfully contrasting.
Landscapes
Light adventure
It's not necessary to throw yourself off a suspended platform in order to fully experience New Zealand. Alternative options include air safaris over White Island, heli-hiking the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers and wilderness cruises in Milford and Doubful Sounds.
Light adventure
Maori culture
New Zealanders are proud of their Maori roots. Maori song, dance and mythology are prevalent, towns are adorned with carvings and rooms are dressed in flax weavings. Most physical locations also have Maori names with literal translations such as Waimakariri River (Cold water river).
Maori culture
Outdoors & coastal living
The 'outdoors' perception of New Zealanders is not something consciously cultivated; with such a plentitude of mountains, beaches, fiords lakes and forests on their doorstep it is simply a way of life.
Outdoors & coastal living
Self-drive
New Zealand has wonderful roads - scenic, safe and, especially on the South Island, largely empty. They even drive on the left and some of the most scenic routes are waymarked. There are car hire stations at all of New Zealand's airports.
Self-drive
Walking & trekking
There are so many excellent hikes - or 'tramps' as the locals call them - in New Zealand that it is sometimes difficult to know which one to select. We feature several of the country's 'great walks' which can easily be incorportated into any itinerary.
Walking & trekking

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When to Go to New Zealand

This is a rough guide to when to travel to this region. Choose a month of travel to see typical temperature and rainfall around the country. The ticks indicate our recommended months to travel.

-41.42

170.577

-33

-48

179.9

166

90 Mile Beach & Cape Reinga

-34.7619225503948
172.967376708984

Janurary
- 24
- 62
- 7
February
- 25
- 68
- 7
March
- 23
- 74
- 6
April
- 21
- 96
- 6
May
- 19
- 93
- 5
June
- 17
- 124
- 4
July
- 16
- 121
- 4
August
- 16
- 116
- 5
September
- 17
- 94
- 6
October
- 19
- 73
- 6
November
- 20
- 72
- 7
December
- 22
- 65
- 7

Christchurch

-43.5316870335737
172.636585235596

Janurary
- 22
- 43
- 7
February
- 22
- 39
- 7
March
- 20
- 53
- 5
April
- 17
- 56
- 5
May
- 14
- 64
- 4
June
- 11
- 52
- 4
July
- 11
- 68
- 4
August
- 12
- 57
- 5
September
- 14
- 36
- 5
October
- 17
- 44
- 7
November
- 19
- 45
- 7
December
- 21
- 44
- 7

Punakaiki

-42.1087934196479
171.335391998291

Janurary
- 20
- 217
- 6
February
- 20
- 155
- 6
March
- 19
- 200
- 5
April
- 17
- 233
- 4
May
- 14
- 254
- 3
June
- 12
- 237
- 3
July
- 11
- 230
- 3
August
- 12
- 220
- 4
September
- 14
- 259
- 4
October
- 15
- 257
- 5
November
- 17
- 256
- 6
December
- 18
- 232
- 6

Queenstown

-45.0310147236893
168.662710189819

Janurary
- 22
- 75
- 7
February
- 22
- 51
- 7
March
- 19
- 84
- 6
April
- 15
- 66
- 4
May
- 11
- 78
- 3
June
- 8
- 71
- 2
July
- 7
- 56
- 2
August
- 9
- 59
- 4
September
- 13
- 74
- 5
October
- 15
- 86
- 6
November
- 18
- 62
- 7
December
- 20
- 72
- 7

Rotorua

-38.1397885090926
176.247010231018

Janurary
- 23
- 107
- 7
February
- 23
- 113
- 7
March
- 21
- 131
- 6
April
- 18
- 111
- 5
May
- 15
- 119
- 5
June
- 13
- 144
- 4
July
- 12
- 137
- 4
August
- 13
- 160
- 4
September
- 15
- 136
- 5
October
- 17
- 124
- 6
November
- 19
- 116
- 6
December
- 21
- 136
- 7

Wellington

-41.2865783478265
174.776000976563

Janurary
- 20
- 81
- 8
February
- 21
- 63
- 7
March
- 19
- 97
- 6
April
- 17
- 105
- 5
May
- 14
- 127
- 4
June
- 12
- 139
- 3
July
- 11
- 146
- 4
August
- 11
- 136
- 4
September
- 13
- 105
- 5
October
- 15
- 104
- 6
November
- 17
- 96
- 7
December
- 19
- 93
- 7

Select a month
of travel:

JanuaryJan
FebruaryFeb
MarchMar
AprilApr
MayMay
JuneJun
JulyJul
AugustAug
SeptemberSep
OctoberOct
NovemberNov
DecemberDec

Climate data provided by Weather2Travel.com

New Zealand has four seasons, broadly opposite to ours, but generally mild and temperate: the north is usually warmer than the south, and the central mountain ranges tend to cause a ‘rain shadow’, with eastern areas being drier than the western coast, an effect particularly pronounced on the South Island.

Summer, from December to March, is ideal for water activities with temperatures averaging from the mid to high 20s°C. Spring, from September to November, is good for exploring with the countryside blooming into life and temperatures from 15-20°C. Autumn, with its turning leaves and gentle sun, is in April and May and tends to be a little warmer than the spring. Winter, from June to August, is perfect for skiing in the mountains though at sea level temperatures rarely fall below 5°C. The North Island, in particular, is mild year-round while there’s always snow dusting New Zealand’s highest mountain peaks.

New Zealand attracts a huge number of visitors during the peak months of January and February, filling the best accommodation; you’ll need to book the more popular places in advance. By waiting just a little longer, you can take advantage of the lack of other visitors, enjoy the pick of the accommodation and experience New Zealand as it should be – peaceful and untouched.

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Highlights Of The Year

{41A52348-8313-4B66-88F1-087D07742334}International Rugby Sevens, New Zealand

February

Rugby in New Zealand borders on a religion for many so Wellington's Westpac Stadium in February becomes a sporting beacon as 16 of the world's top seven-a-side rugby teams compete in the International Rugby Sevens. If you love rugby you can combine it with a trip to one of the world’s most sought-after destinations.

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{9838D11B-F60D-4FA6-B79E-9B92E8134979}Masterton Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, Wellington, New Zealand

March

The Wairarapa valley is at the bottom of the north island, around 20 or so miles east of the Capital, Wellington. Every March sees competitors take part in the spectacular Genesis Wairarapa International Balloon Fiesta. During the festival, it is possible to take a balloon ride and enjoy the breathtaking views of the valley and the surrounding rugged Tararua ranges.

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{B80C5BEF-7697-4C27-9E1A-2B57C4E12534}Bluff Oyster & Southland Seafood Festival, New Zealand

April

The annual Bluff Oyster and Southland Seafood Festival takes place at the Bluff Events Centre, Southland, New Zealand. The event showcases the rich and varied cuisine of New Zealand. Restaurants will offer a wide range of food, with particular emphasis on seafood. If you are in the South Island during April it's well worth visitng the small town of Bluff.

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{7FC06EFF-E4EF-44D3-9A14-237DD66251E3}Gumboot Festival, Taihape, New Zealand

April

As the name suggests the aim of the festival is to break the world record for the longest gumboot throw. It is a family event, which includes a number of other competitions such as the best-dressed gumboot. The overall winner of the competition receives a golden gumboot.

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{E4CF5E71-F797-4C50-85B6-6665D353AD31}Skiing in New Zealand

August

New Zealand has four seasons, broadly opposite to ours, so its winter (June to August), is perfect for skiing in the mountains though as temperatures rarely fall below 5°C.

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{8AE5FD83-3345-4607-9EC4-C333FACEDF72}Wanaka Snowfest, New Zealand

August

Wanaka is surrounded by spectacular mountains and is in fact the the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park. Each August the Wanaka Snowfest hosts a wide range of events.

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