The short answer
- Month
- June
- Verdict
- Good
- Season
- Winter
- North Island
- Mild, about 16°C, wetter
- South Island
- Cold, snow on the peaks
- Crowds
- Quiet until the ski season starts
June brings winter to the South Island. Ski fields open when the snow allows, Queenstown comes alive for the Winter Festival, and long nights are ideal for stargazing.
New Zealand in June at a glance
The map opens on June; tap another month to compare.
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June
Winter begins: ski fields usually open mid to late June. Short days; the Milford Road needs care and chains.
- Rotorua and Taupo (mixed)geysers, Hobbiton, Waitomo
- West Coast (mixed)Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, wet all year
- Mount Cook and Tekapo (mixed)clear skies, cold winter nights
- Queenstown and Wanaka (mixed)great in summer, skiing in winter
- Northland (wet or difficult)Bay of Islands, beaches
- Tongariro (wet or difficult)the Alpine Crossing, hikers' conditions
- Abel Tasman (wet or difficult)beaches and coastal walking
- Fiordland (wet or difficult)Milford Sound, Great Walks season October to April
June across the year
How June compares with the rest of the year. The ringed column is June.
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 |
Where to go in June
- Queenstown and Wanaka: The start of the ski season.
- Lake Tekapo: Dark skies and the best chance of the southern lights.
- Rotorua: Hot pools and geothermal steam on cold mornings.
What to avoid in June
- Alpine walks and the Tongariro Crossing without a guide.
- Driving the Milford Road without chains or checking conditions.
Events and holidays in June
- King's Birthday (first Monday in June): A public holiday and the traditional start of the ski season.
- Queenstown Winter Festival: Usually in late June.
- Matariki: The Maori New Year, a public holiday in June or July; the date changes each year.
Weather in June
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with June highlighted.
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.
A 10 day trip for June
Our suggestion for June: Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook and Queenstown, with skiing and Milford Sound. Every trip can be made private, or try your own route in our New Zealand trip planner.
Tip: Ski field opening dates depend on snow: keep plans flexible early in the season.
Want a June trip made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 10 days, built around your dates.
Other months
Thinking about May or July? See New Zealand in May and New Zealand in July, or compare every season in our guide to the best time to visit New Zealand.
Rather have a trip to New Zealand made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
Is June a good time to visit New Zealand?
For skiing, winter scenery and the southern lights, yes. It's quiet and cheaper outside the ski towns.
Sources we checked
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