When is the Best Time to Visit New Zealand

It may be known as the Land of the Long White cloud, but there is plenty of beautiful weather to enjoy in New Zealand.

When considering the best time to go to New Zealand, the first thing to remember of course is that, as a southern hemisphere country, the seasons are reversed to ours. So when it's winter here it's summer in New Zealand and vice-versa. Which makes escaping the winter gloom here all the more attractive!

The next thing to remember is that, like us, New Zealand has a maritime climate, so its not unusual to experience four seasons in one day!

Here's our season by season rundown to help you to decide the best time to visit New Zealand.

Autumn

March to May

Autumn is, in many people's opinion, the best time to visit New Zealand. With many long, sunny days left to enjoy, fewer crowds to contend with at prime scenic spots, better hotel and campsite availability and, perhaps best of all, lower prices than the high season, it can be the perfect time to visit New Zealand.

New Zealand’s warm, still autumnal days are perfectly suited to outdoor exploration. And the scenery comes alive in the autumn light with deeply shadowed mountains and ochre fields perfect for photography. In some regions you are treated to a blaze of autumnal fall foliage in the forests, and the abundant vineyards do look beautiful.

Events & Festivals

Hawkes Bay Food & Wine Classic: March

Hokitika Wildfoods Festival: March

North Canterbury Wine and Food Festival: March

Dunedin Fringe Festival: March

Bluff Oyster Festival: May

Mount Cook at sunset in New Zealand — Mount Cook

Winter

June to August

Temperatures drop in the winter months in New Zealand, but not to the same extent we see at home, especially in the North Island with average daytime highs of 14°C or 15°C in Auckland, compared to winter temps of 7°C and 8°C in London for example.

New Zealand’s southern mountains receive a blanket of snow, and the snowfields around Queenstown and Wanaka are awash with happy skiers and snow-boarders as well as some fantastic festivals.

Events & Festivals

Winetopia (Wellington): June

Luma light festival Queenstown: June

Wellington on a Plate: August

A group of fur seals sit on a rock in Kaikoura with a mountain range in the background — Fur seals at Kaikoura

Spring

September to November

Spring is a wonderful time to visit New Zealand with warm sunny days, uncrowded trails and the countryside bursting into life. Colourful wildflowers carpet the countryside and baby wildlife can be seen everywhere, from gambolling lambs to playful seal pups. Hotel prices are significantly lower than summer and availability is also much better, both here and in campsites all over the country. With the spring sun melting the winter snowfall and glaciers, rivers are at full flood and waterfalls are at their most spectacular so it's a wonderful time to be seeing them in Fiordland for example.

Events & Festivals

Whitianga Oceans Seafood Festival: September

International Hobbit Day: 22 September

World of Wearable Art: September/October

Queenstown Winter Festival: September

Winetopia (Auckland): October

A view of the Marlborough district vineyards with mountains in the background, New Zealand — Marlborough district vineyard

Summer

December to February

During the southern hemisphere summer, people from across the world flock to see New Zealand under a blanket of blue sky. Escaping the winter at home is an enticing prospect which makes this a good time to visit New Zealand but bear in mind this is also some of the busiest times in the country.

Average day time highs are a comfortable 21°C to 24°C so this is a great time to visit New Zealand and hit the beach with a picnic. Now is also the time to make the most of the huge range of incredible outdoor activities that the country is famous for, whether it be hiking or cycling, sailing or kayaking.

Events & Festivals

Toast Martinborough: January

Marlborough Wine & Food Festival: February

Napier Art Deco Festival: February