New Zealand
The best time to visit
When to go to New Zealand
Go in summer, December to March, for the warmest weather and longest days, or in autumn, March to May, for golden colour and fewer crowds. Winter, June to August, is ski season in the Southern Alps.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Auckland. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Feb.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
Rainy season.
In short
The year at a glance
New Zealand packs many climates into two narrow islands, and its seasons sit opposite the northern hemisphere. We rate on Auckland, where summer is warm and lively and the weather is mildest, though it can change quickly anywhere in the country.
Summer is the one to book for the beaches, hiking and the Great Walks, with daylight stretching late into the evening. Winter swaps to a southern ski season around Queenstown and Wanaka, while spring and autumn are the quiet, value shoulders.
Month by month
New Zealand month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Auckland.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°C / 73°F | 16°C / 61°F | 75 mm | Ideal 88 | Warm with a little rain. Auckland hotels in January |
| February | 24°C / 75°F | 16°C / 61°F | 65 mm | Ideal 92 | Warm with a little rain. Auckland hotels in February |
| March | 23°C / 73°F | 15°C / 59°F | 80 mm | Ideal 86 | Warm with a little rain. Auckland hotels in March |
| April | 20°C / 68°F | 13°C / 55°F | 90 mm | Ideal 82 | Mild with a little rain. |
| May | 18°C / 64°F | 11°C / 52°F | 115 mm | Great 70 | Mild with a little rain. |
| June | 16°C / 61°F | 9°C / 48°F | 135 mm | Great 60 | Cool and wet. |
| July | 15°C / 59°F | 8°C / 46°F | 145 mm | Good 55 | Cool and wet. |
| August | 15°C / 59°F | 9°C / 48°F | 120 mm | Great 65 | Cool and wet. |
| September | 17°C / 63°F | 10°C / 50°F | 105 mm | Great 73 | Mild with a little rain. |
| October | 18°C / 64°F | 12°C / 54°F | 100 mm | Ideal 76 | Mild with a little rain. |
| November | 20°C / 68°F | 13°C / 55°F | 85 mm | Ideal 84 | Mild with a little rain. |
| December | 22°C / 72°F | 15°C / 59°F | 90 mm | Ideal 82 | Mild with a little rain. |
By region
Where you go changes when you go
Auckland and the north
Warm and subtropical, best from late spring to autumn. The Bay of Islands and northern beaches shine in summer.
The Southern Alps and Queenstown
Summer for hiking Milford and the Great Walks, winter for skiing. Autumn brings spectacular golden colour around Wanaka.
Fiordland and the west
Wet and dramatic year round. Summer offers the best odds of clear days for Milford Sound and the trails.
Go for
Best time to visit New Zealand for
Hiking the Great Walks
December to March, when the high trails are open, snow-free and the weather is at its kindest.
Beaches and road trips
December to February for warm seas and the long, light summer evenings.
Autumn colour
April and May, when Central Otago and Wanaka turn gold and the crowds thin out.
Skiing
July to September around Queenstown, Wanaka and the central North Island volcanoes.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Autumn gold, April
Central Otago and the southern lakes blaze with colour against the mountains.
Ski season, July to Sep
The Southern Alps fill with snow for some of the southern hemisphere's best skiing.
Rainy season
Jun to Jul.
Where to stay
Where to stay in New Zealand
Compare hotels and rentals around Auckland, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions
Good to know
What is the best time to visit New Zealand?
Is New Zealand good to visit in winter?
When can you hike the Great Walks?
Where else, and when
Every country on one map, or jump straight to another guide.