Best Time to Visit New Zealand

One of the best things about New Zealand is that it’s a country which lends itself to travel throughout the year. The climate in New Zealand is incredibly pleasant, with warm and balmy summers and cold crisp winter months with wonderful clear, blue skies.

Best time to visit

The warmer high-season months of November to April are perfect for outdoor exploration. The colder months of June to August are the best time to ski or settle down with a glass of pinot noir in front of a roaring log fire after a day’s adventure. Both North and South Islands are drier on the east coast, rather than on the west, where mountain ranges act as a trap for the moisture-rich winds from the Tasman Sea. It is also worth remembering that it is usually a few degrees cooler on the South Island than the North Island and as New Zealand has a maritime climate, the weather can change rapidly. If you’re undecided on when to travel, have a chat with one of our specialists who can discuss the different options and ensure you’re visiting at a time that works best for your vacation requirements.

Monthly Climate Guide for New Zealand

, New Zealand

Average temperatures (Fahrenheit) and rainfall (mm)

Jan
83°F 7mm
Feb
83°F 9mm
Mar
78°F 12mm
Apr
76°F 17mm
May
72°F 15mm
Jun
69°F 16mm
Jul
64°F 18mm
Aug
69°F 19mm
Sep
71°F 15mm
Oct
72°F 11mm
Nov
75°F 10mm
Dec
80°F 10mm
Jan
83°F 7mm
Feb
83°F 9mm
Mar
79°F 12mm
Apr
75°F 17mm
May
72°F 15mm
Jun
69°F 15mm
Jul
64°F 18mm
Aug
69°F 18mm
Sep
71°F 15mm
Oct
72°F 11mm
Nov
74°F 10mm
Dec
80°F 10mm
Jan
87°F 4mm
Feb
87°F 5mm
Mar
82°F 9mm
Apr
76°F 11mm
May
71°F 7mm
Jun
67°F 9mm
Jul
66°F 9mm
Aug
71°F 7mm
Sep
75°F 8mm
Oct
77°F 8mm
Nov
82°F 6mm
Dec
86°F 6mm
Jan
81°F 7mm
Feb
80°F 12mm
Mar
77°F 11mm
Apr
73°F 24mm
May
69°F 12mm
Jun
63°F 16mm
Jul
61°F 16mm
Aug
65°F 15mm
Sep
65°F 14mm
Oct
69°F 9mm
Nov
73°F 11mm
Dec
77°F 10mm
Jan
81°F 8mm
Feb
78°F 8mm
Mar
74°F 9mm
Apr
68°F 15mm
May
66°F 7mm
Jun
60°F 8mm
Jul
60°F 8mm
Aug
64°F 8mm
Sep
68°F 8mm
Oct
71°F 8mm
Nov
72°F 10mm
Dec
75°F 7mm
Jan
81°F 8mm
Feb
78°F 8mm
Mar
74°F 9mm
Apr
68°F 15mm
May
66°F 7mm
Jun
60°F 8mm
Jul
60°F 8mm
Aug
64°F 8mm
Sep
68°F 8mm
Oct
71°F 8mm
Nov
72°F 10mm
Dec
75°F 7mm
Jan
84°F 8mm
Feb
83°F 11mm
Mar
80°F 11mm
Apr
74°F 29mm
May
69°F 15mm
Jun
64°F 15mm
Jul
62°F 18mm
Aug
63°F 16mm
Sep
66°F 16mm
Oct
69°F 10mm
Nov
74°F 11mm
Dec
79°F 10mm
Jan
76°F 7mm
Feb
75°F 6mm
Mar
74°F 10mm
Apr
69°F 19mm
May
66°F 10mm
Jun
62°F 13mm
Jul
60°F 12mm
Aug
61°F 11mm
Sep
63°F 12mm
Oct
68°F 9mm
Nov
71°F 9mm
Dec
76°F 9mm
Jan
76°F 7mm
Feb
75°F 6mm
Mar
74°F 10mm
Apr
69°F 19mm
May
66°F 10mm
Jun
62°F 13mm
Jul
60°F 12mm
Aug
61°F 11mm
Sep
63°F 12mm
Oct
68°F 9mm
Nov
71°F 9mm
Dec
76°F 9mm
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Plan your New Zealand trip today

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