New Zealand Weather

New Zealand is a beautiful place to visit, however it pays to be prepared when packing your suitcase. Locals in some parts of the country have a saying - ‘if you don’t like the weather, wait a few minutes’. Though unpredictable, the temperature range itself in New Zealand does not vary to the great extremes of most continental climates, making it worth a visit at any time of year.

The main cause of the varied weather conditions is the shape of the country itself, a narrow sea-bound island stretching from North to South with a diverse landscape. The Maori name ‘New Zealand’ literally translates to ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’, indicating the importance of the weather to the lives of the native inhabitants. The maritime climate combined with the long band of mountains stretching through the centre of the land causes what is known as the ‘rain shadow effect’, a phenomenon in which the central mountains block of a lot of the wet weather coming in from the Tasman Sea. This causes the west side of the country to be significantly wetter than the east. Additionally, the constant sea wind and low level of pollution in the air results in a strikingly clear atmosphere and brilliant blue skies. It is for this reason that the UV rays in New Zealand are quite strong, and it is a good idea to wear sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen during the brightest parts of the day.

Situated in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand becomes warmer further north and colder further south. The seasons are inverted to those in the Northern Hemisphere, with the summer months from December to February, the autumn months from March to May, the winter months from June to August and the spring months from September to November.

The summer months in New Zealand bring mild evenings and long, sunny days, with sunlight sometimes lasting until 9pm due to daylight savings. Outdoor activities thrive during summer, particularly extreme sports such as white water rafting, bungee jumping and rock climbing. For the less extreme visitor there is plenty to see and do such as swimming, fishing, hiking, site-seeing and attending the many outdoor events and festivals that take place across the country during summer.

Autumn in New Zealand remains fairly warm to mild with cooler evenings and mornings. This is an ideal time of year to visit to avoid the summer crowds at tourist attractions and have the first pick of accommodation. Outdoor activities may still be enjoyed, particularly hiking in areas where introduced deciduous trees are at their most colourful. Central Otago and Hawke's Bay are particularly famous for their vibrant autumn landscapes.

Winter is colder and wetter than other times of the year. The mountains on both the north and south islands can experience heavy snowfall, making New Zealand’s world-class ski resorts a popular destination for skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports. Non-skiers needn’t be put off – it is worth a visit at this time of year simply to take in the magnificent natural beauty of the mountains, glaciers and rugged coastline.  

Similarly to autumn, spring in New Zealand can vary from warm during the day to crisp in the mornings and evenings. This time of year is renowned for spectacular hiking in the wilderness as delicate greenery begins to reappear under the melting snow and spring flowers begin blooming. The melting ice also raises the levels of rivers and streams, making white water rafting and jet boating popular activities for enthusiasts.