New Zealand Weather Information

We're not called downunder without reason! Our coldest month is July, and our warmest is in January; our seasons opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. The climate is fairly mild, without the extremes experienced in many other countries. In fact, New Zealand doesn't tend to have temperatures over 35°C (100°F) or under -5°C (14°F). The South Island has a temperate climate, while the North Island ranges from temperate in the south to sub tropic further up the island.

New Zealand is well known for its ability to have ‘Four Seasons in One Day’, especially in the South Island, with winds coming from the south bringing cold fronts and rain, and from the north west, sweeping over the Canterbury Plains bringing pleasant warm winds, rumoured to give headaches, and to sometimes make people act strangely… Breezes from the tropics herald warm and heavy rainfall for the North Island.

Sun is most common during the months of January and February, but be prepared for a quick change in weather, patchy tropical showers are common in the north Island, and southerly changes can creep up very quickly over the south. The autumn (fall) and winter seasons are over March through to August, and the weather is more changeable than many other countries, the dark cloud and heavy rainfall contrasted often by highs over the country, bringing crisp, fresh frosts in the morning and clear blue skies.

Snow only really occurs in the mountains, mainly in the Southern Alps in the South Island, and those in the mid North Island, although it snows a little in the east of the south Island mid winter. Contradictory to global warming, the East Coast of the South Island has been facing regular mid winter snow falls for the past 5 or so years, with 2006’s storm in June bringing over 30cm of snow to some parts of Canterbury.

More Regional Temperatures

What do I wear?

One of the most common questions asked before planning a trip is, naturally, "what should I bring to wear?" We've put together this small guide to help your planning: