What is the weather like in New Zealand year round?
Find out what to expect from New Zealand’s weather — and the worst time to visit.
A Wanaka peak at sunset, on a crisp, clear April evening.
The best time to visit New Zealand is in the first few months of the year.
Late summer in New Zealand (from February to March) means warm, settled weather and fewer crowds than the earlier summer holiday period.
But what about the worst time to visit?
New Zealand in winter can be cold, wet and gloomy — but equally bright, cold and beautiful if you know where to go.
There’s a whole range of climates in New Zealand, from sub tropical to alpine. If you want to figure out the best and worst times to visit, here are my thoughts after hopping around the country in every season.
jump ahead.
The key things you need to know about New Zealand weather
The best time to visit New Zealand is from February to March, when the weather is warm and settled.
New Zealand weather is unpredictable and it can rain or storm at any time of the year.
We live like it’s a hot country (so many houses don’t have heating, it’s normal to see you breath inside in winter) but it can get really cold in New Zealand so dress accordingly.
Winter is wet in the North Island and dry and cold in the South Island, so if you dress warmly it can be a great time to visit.
The most important thing to remember is to pack layers — be prepared for cool evenings in summer and warm days in winter.
What is the weather like in New Zealand?
A moody autumn day in Arrowtown.
From the subtropical far north to the freezing alpine areas, you can find a range of climates in New Zealand.
New Zealand’s climate varies wildly from the North to the South Islands, and even from east to west across the islands.
You’ll find warm, humid subtropical weather in the north and cool temperate climates in the south, with alpine conditions in mountains areas in between.
The weather can vary enormously between the islands, and even between regions.
In the South Island, the West Coast is the wettest area of New Zealand.
Just 100 kilometres away across the mountains is Christchurch, the driest area. The spine of the Southern Alps dividing the two regions into dramatically distinct climate zones.
Most parts of New Zealand get a lot of rainfall throughout the year, with a drier spell during summer. Winter is the wettest season for the North Island, while in the southern parts of the South Island winter gets the least rainfall.
A quick aside: I’m writing this in January 2024 and it’s pouring with rain here in the Coromandel. So, nothing is guaranteed.
The average rainfall in New Zealand is between 650 and 1500 millimetres. Some parts of the country get much more — Fiordland gets around seven metres in a single year.
I was in the South Island in February 2020 when 1,000mm of rain fell in a 60 hour period in Fiordland, washing out parts of the Routeburn track and foiling my hiking plans.
The same month was abnormally dry for the North Island and top of the South Island.
Even though New Zealand is a Pacific Island, it never gets extremely hot.
That’s because we have a largely temperate maritime climate. As opposed to most continental climates, that means New Zealand doesn’t experience large ranges in temperature.
It rarely gets extremely hot or extremely cold.
Coastal breezes play a large part in that — New Zealand is known for its strong and changeable winds, particularly in coastal regions.
Wellington, the capital city, is famously windy.
Across most of New Zealand, there aren’t huge variations in temperature between winter and summer. Mean temperatures fall between 10°C in the south to 16°C in the north.
The exception to this are inland areas and parts of the South Island where temperatures fluctuate between much hotter and much colder temperatures.
The mountains in the South Island get the most snow
Frosts are a novelty in the North Island
It mostly only snows in mountain areas of New Zealand.
It’s rare to see snow in coastal areas of the country, except for the southeast and south of the South Island.
We do get frosts all over the country though, if there are clear winter nights with no wind.
They are rare enough to be a novelty though — waking up to ice on puddles was always an occasion for great excitement during my childhood growing up in the rural Coromandel Peninsula.
Tip | Metservice is New Zealand’s national weather service, so it’s a reliable source of up to date weather information.
I also rely on NIWA, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, weather forecasts for checking conditions in New Zealand’s National Parks.
NIWA weather is used by DOC, so it’s a good guide for weather in mountainous areas.
New Zealand weather by month
Summer
Fall/autumn
Winter
Spring
What is New Zealand’s coldest month?
New Zealand's coldest month is typically July. July is the heart of winter in New Zealand, and brings the lowest average temperatures nationwide.
During July, temperatures can drop significantly, especially in the South Island and higher-altitude regions.
In places like the Southern Alps and Queenstown, you can expect temperatures to hover around freezing or even drop below freezing, particularly during the nighttime.
New Zealand seasons
Hagley Park in Christchurch in spring
Lake Tekapo in winter
Due to the range of climate zones in New Zealand, the timing and intensity of the seasons vary from place to place.
The northern regions tend to have milder winters and warmer summers, while the southern regions and higher altitudes experience colder temperatures and more pronounced seasonal changes.
No matter where you go in New Zealand, and no matter what time of year, I recommend packing layers you can easily take on and off.
Does New Zealand have all four seasons?
New Zealand has all four seasons — spring, summer, autumn (fall), and winter — but the seasons are more pronounced in the South Island.
The north of the North Island has a sub-tropical climate, so while there are technically spring and autumn/fall seasons, they tend to blend into each other more than in the region around Queenstown.
In the Bay of Islands, for example, you won’t notice a lot of fall foliage. The weather just switches quite quickly from warm summer days to cold and wet winter sometime in late April.
Whereas around Central Otago, there is a beautiful blaze of autumn golds and reds, and a slower transition to the cold winter season.
Fun fact | New Zealand defines seasons by following a calendar system that changes every three months. That means seasons officially begin for us on the start of the month.
This is in contrast to many other countries which measure the start of seasons by thermal indicators, equinox, or cultural customs.
This means that even though March is officially autumn/fall in New Zealand, it’s often warmer than December, which is the first month of summer.
Summer
Summer in New Zealand falls between December and February. Summer means warm to hot temperatures, longer daylight hours, and a wide range of outdoor activities.
Average daytime temperatures range from 20 - 25˚C (68 - 77˚F).
How hot is New Zealand in summer?
New Zealand experiences a range of temperatures during the summer months, and the level of heat can vary depending on the region.
In the North Island, which generally has milder summers compared to the South Island, daytime temperatures typically range from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F).
Some areas, like Auckland, experience warmer temperatures, occasionally reaching the mid-30s°C (mid-90s°F) during hot spells. Nighttime temperatures are generally mild, ranging from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F).
The South Island has a more diverse climate.
Coastal areas, like Nelson and Marlborough, often have daytime temperatures between 20°C and 30°C (68°F to 86°F). Inland and alpine regions tend to be slightly cooler, with daytime temperatures averaging between 15°C and 25°C (59°F to 77°F).
While New Zealand doesn't typically experience extreme heatwaves, occasional hot spells can bring temperatures well above 30°C (86°F) in some parts of the country.
These heatwaves are more common in the central and northern regions of the North Island, and in inland areas of the South Island.
Autumn (Fall)
Autumn in New Zealand takes place from March to May. This season brings cooler temperatures and in some parts of the country, stunning transformation of leaves into shades of red, orange, and gold.
March is still relatively warm, while May ushers in cooler conditions.
Average daytime temperatures range from 17 - 21˚C (62 - 70˚F).
Autumn is shoulder season, in between the chaos of summer holidays and the ski season. Days are typically sunny and warm well into late April.
I campervanned around the South Island for all of April and May in 2022 and it was beautiful. Evenings can get cool, but as long as you have a warm jacket and a woolly hat, it’s nothing too bad.
In the South Island, you get to enjoy all the colourful fall colours that makes these months such a great time to visit New Zealand.
Winter
Winter spans from June to August in New Zealand.
Winter brings cooler temperatures, shorter daylight hours, and the possibility of snowfall in higher-altitude regions, especially in the South Island. Winter is the time for skiing and snow sports in New Zealand.
Average daytime temperatures range from 12 - 16˚C (53 - 61˚F).
Winter in the North Island can be gloomy.
One year, we had rain every single day in Auckland for three weeks straight. It never gets too cold in the North Island though — I have been on campervan trips around Wellington and Cape Palliser in late June and was never too cold.
How cold is New Zealand in winter?
The coldness of winter in New Zealand varies depending on the region and the altitude.
In the North Island, winter (June to August) is relatively mild compared to the South Island. Daytime temperatures typically range from 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F), and nighttime temperatures can drop to 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F).
Areas in the north, like Auckland, experience milder winters with temperatures staying on the higher end of this range.
The South Island has cooler winters, especially in the southern and alpine regions. Daytime temperatures range from 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F) in many places, with some alpine areas experiencing daytime highs below freezing.
Nighttime temperatures can drop significantly, often falling below freezing, especially in the central and southern parts of the island.
In the alpine regions, such as Queenstown, Wanaka, and parts of the Southern Alps, winter is quite cold. Daytime temperatures often range from 0°C to 5°C (32°F to 41°F), and nighttime temperatures can drop well below freezing.
Spring
Spring in New Zealand spans from September to November. The weather gradually becomes milder, and daylight hours increase.
Average daytime temperatures range from 16 - 19˚C (61 - 66˚F).
Spring is shoulder season in New Zealand, so it’s a nice and quiet time to travel. The ski season is usually wrapped up by October, so there’s a lull before the summer holidays arrive.
This makes it a good time to visit New Zealand, if you don’t mind a few spring showers.
Spring time in New Zealand is often wet in the North island. But, the weather starts to warm up and days get longer.
By the end of September/early October, the clocks have changed to daylight savings and the sun starts to set a lot later.
Most New Zealand foliage is green all year round, so we don’t have a dramatic spring time where everything suddenly bursts into life again. But we do get a lot of flowers coming into bloom (daffodils! Lupins!) which can make the countryside prettier.
It’s also the season of lambs and calves, which can make road trips through rural areas a lot more fun.
November is the best spring month in New Zealand, with days starting to feel like summer.
Late October/November is also the start of New Zealand’s Great Walk hiking season, and the time when a lot of alpine trails start to shake free from snow and become walkable again.
Good to know | In New Zealand, you should always wear sunscreen.
The sun here is exceptionally strong and can cause serious burns. So much so, that when I was in primary school, we weren’t allowed to play outside during the break unless we had a hat on.
We take being sun smart seriously, and so should you.
The strength of the sun in New Zealand is primarily due to its geographical location and the relatively thin ozone layer over the country.
New Zealand is located in the southern hemisphere, and during the southern hemisphere's spring and summer (September to March), the region is closer to the sun.
Plus, New Zealand is relatively close to the Antarctic ozone hole.
The ozone layer over New Zealand is thinner than in many other parts of the world. Clear skies and low levels of air pollution mean less UV radiation is absorbed or scattered by atmospheric particles. As a result, more UV radiation reaches the ground.
These factors result in a higher level of UV radiation in New Zealand during summer.
Using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak sun hours are important measures to stay safe in New Zealand's intense sunlight.
When is the best time to visit New Zealand?
The best time to travel to New Zealand is during the warm summer months from late January to early March. This is my favourite time to travel New Zealand as summer holidays are over and the crowds are gone, but the weather is still great.
Summer days are long and bright, making it the best time to visit beaches and go hiking. The temperature usually averages around 20 - 25˚C (68 - 77˚F), and sea temperatures are warmer too, with the water hovering around 20˚C in summer.
With more daylight hours, you can see and do more. It makes activities like camping easier when the sun sets at 8pm instead of 6pm.
Thanks for reading this far! I hope this has given you a better idea of what to expect from the weather in New Zealand.
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