The Seasons

Spring (1 September to 30 November)
Summer (1 December to 28 February)
Autumn (1 March to 30 May)
Winter (1 June to 31 August)

New Zealand’s weather climate is similar in terms of temperature ranges to the UK. During the summer months from December to early February, temperatures can reach up to 30 degrees Celsius, beware though, our clear, unpolluted atmosphere and relatively low latitudes produce sunlight stronger than much of Europe or North America, as a result people generally burn quicker than at home. So be prepared to wear hats and sun block if you plan to be out in the sun for more than 15-20 minutes. Most people carry sunfactor 25 - 30 as a minimum sunblock cream.

During winter in the South Island, temperatures can fall to sub zero, minus 5 is around the coldest and 7 or 8 is around the highest. The air is often dry and crisp, fleeces and thick puffer jackets are the popular choice for winter clothing. The North Island is a fair bit warmer with areas such as Auckland rarely dropping below 10 degrees Celsius in the middle of winter.

New Zealand is a skinny country and as a result often finds itself subject to large temperature ranges. The weather can change unexpectedly as cold fronts push their way across from the ocean. A common phrase you might hear on weather reports is; “Sunny spells with cloud and the chance of rain”. It is not uncommon to have 4 seasons in a day, as a result we recommend you bring a range of clothing to suit all weather conditions particularly if you are going hiking, camping or participating in some of the amazing outdoor activities New Zealand has to offer such as jet boating, skydiving and scenic helicopter flights.

You can view the current weather in NZ by clicking on our weather tab on the bottom right of the image at the top of this page.