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When to go · New Zealand

New Zealand, month by month

The best months for New Zealand: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec.

Month by month

  1. JanuaryGreatPeak summer and local holidays: long days, warm lakes; book cars, ferries and huts well ahead.Northland and Auckland: best weather · Central North Island: best weather · Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson: best weatherCrowds: High · 5 festivals or holidays
  2. FebruaryGreatThe most settled weather of the year; school is back, so beaches ease after Waitangi Day.Northland and Auckland: best weather · Central North Island: best weather · Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson: best weatherCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
  3. MarchGreatWarm, stable and quieter: the pick for the South Island and Great Walks.Northland and Auckland: best weather · Central North Island: best weather · Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  4. AprilGoodAutumn colour in Central Otago and Arrowtown; cooler nights, Easter and school holidays busy.Northland and Auckland: fine · Central North Island: fine · Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson: fineCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
  5. MayMixedCool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.Northland and Auckland: fine · Central North Island: cool · Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson: fineCrowds: Low
  6. JuneMixedWinter: snow on passes, chains needed; ski season opens mid-month; about 9 hours of daylight in the south.Northland and Auckland: rainy · Central North Island: cool · Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson: coolCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
  7. JulyMixedSki peak and school holidays in Queenstown and Wānaka; Matariki events; drive alpine roads with care.Northland and Auckland: rainy · Central North Island: cool · Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson: coolCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
  8. AugustMixedCold and clear in the south, wet in the north; best snow of the season.Northland and Auckland: rainy · Central North Island: cool · Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson: coolCrowds: Medium
  9. SeptemberMixedSpring: lambs and blossom, but changeable weather and late snow; daylight saving starts late in the month.Northland and Auckland: fine · Central North Island: cool · Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson: fineCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
  10. OctoberGoodSpring warms up; waterfalls full; Great Walk season starts late in the month (check dates).Northland and Auckland: fine · Central North Island: fine · Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson: fineCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
  11. NovemberGoodLong days before the rush; the best value month for a summer-type trip.Northland and Auckland: fine · Central North Island: fine · Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson: fineCrowds: Medium
  12. DecemberGreatSummer begins; after 20 December locals take the roads and campsites — book everything.Northland and Auckland: best weather · Central North Island: best weather · Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson: best weatherCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays

Weather by region

How each climate zone rates each month.

Weather rating by region and month
RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Northland and AucklandBay of Islands, Auckland, CoromandelBestBestBestOKOKWetWetWetOKOKOKBest
Central North IslandRotorua, Taupō, TongariroBestBestBestOKCoolCoolCoolCoolCoolOKOKBest
Wellington and Marlborough-NelsonWellington, Picton, Nelson, Abel TasmanBestBestBestOKOKCoolCoolCoolOKOKOKBest
Southern Alps and lakesQueenstown, Wānaka, Aoraki/Mount Cook, TekapoBestBestBestOKCoolCoolCoolCoolCoolOKOKBest
West Coast and FiordlandFranz Josef, Fox, Milford Sound, Te AnauOKBestBestWetWetCoolCoolCoolWetWetWetOK
Otago coast and far southDunedin, the Catlins, Stewart IslandBestBestOKOKCoolCoolCoolCoolCoolOKOKOK