The short answer
- Best overall
- February to April
- Warmest
- December to February
- Skiing
- Mid June to early October
- Best value
- May, and September to October
New Zealand's seasons are the reverse of Europe's and North America's: summer runs from December to February and winter from June to August. The North Island is mild all year; the South Island has real winters, with snow on the mountains and ski fields near Queenstown and Wanaka.
The famous saying is "four seasons in one day". Whatever month you choose, weather changes fast, so a good plan has some flexibility built in, especially for Milford Sound, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and scenic flights.
Choose your month
Pick a month to see how each region usually looks for touring and walking.
Choose your month
January
Peak summer: warm, long days and busy. School holidays run until late January, so book ahead.
- Northland (best)Bay of Islands, beaches
- Rotorua and Taupo (best)geysers, Hobbiton, Waitomo
- Tongariro (best)the Alpine Crossing, hikers' conditions
- Abel Tasman (best)beaches and coastal walking
- West Coast (best)Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, wet all year
- Mount Cook and Tekapo (best)clear skies, cold winter nights
- Queenstown and Wanaka (best)great in summer, skiing in winter
- Fiordland (best)Milford Sound, Great Walks season October to April
Every month at a glance
Swipe sideways to see all 12 months →
| Region | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Island touringRotorua, Waitomo, Hobbiton | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Best | Best | Best |
| Tongariro Crossingfor hikers without alpine skills | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best |
| Great Walksfull hut service late October to April | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Mixed | Best | Best |
| Queenstown and Mount Cooktouring and day walks | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Best | Best | Best |
| Fiordland and Milfordwet all year, best in summer | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Mixed | Best | Best |
| SkiingQueenstown, Wanaka, Ruapehu | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult |
The four seasons
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | December to February | Warm and long days, the Great Walks fully open, lakes and beaches at their best. Busiest and most expensive, especially over school holidays. |
| Autumn | March to May | Settled weather, golden trees around Queenstown and Arrowtown in April, fewer visitors. Many travellers' favourite season. |
| Winter | June to August | Skiing in the south, snowy peaks, clear cold days and the southern lights. Short days, some road closures and alpine walks only for the experienced. |
| Spring | September to November | Lambs, blossom, waterfalls full of snowmelt and lupins by November. Changeable weather and good value. |
Tip: If you can choose, go in March or early April: the weather is often more settled than in summer, the water is still warm and prices drop after the school holidays.
Best months for each activity
| Activity | Best | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Great Walks | Late October to April | Huts have wardens and gas only in the Great Walks season; book months ahead |
| Milford Sound | November to April | Rain all year makes the waterfalls; winter brings road closures |
| Tongariro Alpine Crossing | December to April | In winter it's an alpine climb that needs a guide |
| Skiing | Mid June to early October | Queenstown, Wanaka and Mount Ruapehu |
| Southern lights | May to August | Dark skies around Lake Tekapo, Stewart Island and the far south |
| Lupins at Lake Tekapo | Mid November to late December | Timing varies year to year |
| Whale watching at Kaikoura | All year | Sperm whales are resident; humpbacks pass in winter |
Weather by region
Average highs, lows and rainfall. Milford Sound is one of the wettest places on Earth, which is why its waterfalls are so spectacular.
Average daily high / low and monthly rainfall
| Month | AucklandBay of Islands and Rotorua are similar | ChristchurchCanterbury plains, Lake Tekapo is colder | QueenstownWanaka is similar | Milford Soundone of the wettest places on Earth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24° / 16°75 mm | 23° / 12°45 mm | 22° / 10°75 mm | 19° / 10°720 mm |
| Feb | 25° / 17°65 mm | 22° / 12°45 mm | 22° / 10°60 mm | 19° / 10°500 mm |
| Mar | 23° / 15°90 mm | 20° / 10°50 mm | 19° / 8°65 mm | 18° / 9°580 mm |
| Apr | 21° / 13°100 mm | 17° / 7°50 mm | 15° / 5°65 mm | 15° / 7°520 mm |
| May | 18° / 11°115 mm | 14° / 4°65 mm | 11° / 2°75 mm | 12° / 4°560 mm |
| Jun | 16° / 9°130 mm | 11° / 2°60 mm | 8° / 0°65 mm | 10° / 2°480 mm |
| Jul | 15° / 8°140 mm | 11° / 1°65 mm | 7° / -1°60 mm | 9° / 1°420 mm |
| Aug | 16° / 8°120 mm | 12° / 2°60 mm | 9° / 0°60 mm | 10° / 2°450 mm |
| Sep | 17° / 10°100 mm | 15° / 4°45 mm | 12° / 2°60 mm | 12° / 4°520 mm |
| Oct | 19° / 11°90 mm | 17° / 6°45 mm | 15° / 4°75 mm | 14° / 5°600 mm |
| Nov | 20° / 13°80 mm | 19° / 8°50 mm | 18° / 6°70 mm | 16° / 7°560 mm |
| Dec | 22° / 15°90 mm | 21° / 11°55 mm | 20° / 8°85 mm | 18° / 9°650 mm |
Rounded long term averages. Blue shading marks the wetter months. Individual years can be hotter, colder or wetter.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit New Zealand?
February and March are hard to beat: warm, settled weather and everything open, with fewer crowds in March after the school holidays end.
Is New Zealand worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you want skiing, snowy mountains and the southern lights. Days are short, some alpine walks need experience, and the Milford Road can close after snow.
When is the cheapest time to visit New Zealand?
May and September to early November usually have the lowest prices for tours, campervans and flights, outside the ski weeks.
When is it too cold to visit New Zealand?
Never too cold for the North Island, which is mild all year. The South Island gets frosts and snow from June to August, but the main roads and towns stay open.
Sources we checked
New Zealand month by month
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