When to go New Zealand ?

Climate New Zealand

New Zealand straddles two climate zones. Geographically speaking, the north of the North Island belongs to the subtropical climate zone, while the rest of the country belongs to the temperate climate zone. That's right! In the Southern Hemisphere, it's warmer in the north. The north of the country averages 15°C, while the south hovers around 9°C. The seasons are also reversed in relation to the Northern Hemisphere, and New Zealand has chosen not to follow the solstice and equinox calendar and to spread the seasons over full months. Spring here runs from September¹ to November 30, summer from December¹ to February 28, autumn from March¹ to May 31, and winter from June¹ to August 31. Celebrating Christmas in summer and going skiing in July are experiences that are a little confusing for our brains, which are used to the Northern hemisphere calendar!

East/West, North/South differences

The presence of mountain ranges running through the center of the country means that temperatures and weather conditions can vary more from east to west than from north to south. The West Coast of the South Island is the wettest part of the country, with 174 days of rain a year, while Canterbury, to the east of the mountains, is the driest region, with just 82 days of rain a year. The rest of the country fluctuates between 110 and 140 days of rain a year.

The same applies to temperatures, where Canterbury and Otago experience much greater variations in temperature than the rest of the country, the surrounding relief isolating them from the oceans and giving them an almost continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures can reach 30°C, while frost and snow are not uncommon in winter.

In the rest of the country, temperature variations between summer and winter are fairly small, with average annual temperatures of 8°C on the South Island and 16°C on the North Island. Unsurprisingly, it's in Northland, the subtropical part of the country, that the mercury will climb the highest, with an average maximum temperature of 20°C, and it's in Southland that it's the least warm, with an average maximum temperature of 14.7°C.

In New Zealand, snow is most likely to be found in the higher, mountainous regions. Every year, it is eagerly awaited in the ski regions of Queenstown in the south and Ruapehu in the north.

Quick climatic portrait of the country, from South to North

South Island. The coldest region is Southland. With 158 days of rain a year, it's also quite rare to enjoy a totally dry holiday here! The champion in terms of rain, however, is the West Coast, where rain is so much a part of the scenery that it's almost a wonder that its name, West Coast, hasn't ironically drifted into Wet Coast.

East of the mountains, Canterbury and Otago are the driest regions, offering the greatest contrast between summer and winter temperatures, reminiscent of our continental climates.
In the north, the Tasman, Nelson and Malborough regions are the sunniest on the island, with Nelson being the sunniest in the country.

North Island. On the other side of the Cook Strait, Wellington, nicknamed "Windy Welly", is famous for its wind! It's the windiest city in the world, with gusts in excess of 60 km/h 172 days a year.

To the east, Hawke's Bay enjoys a milder climate and has the more flattering nickname of "Sunny Hawke's Bay". In the center, the Central Plateau reliefs cool the atmosphere a little, and it's in this part of the island that you'll experience the coldest temperatures, especially at night, in all seasons.
In the west, the Taranaki region tends to trap clouds around the dome of its mountain, which clearly enjoys being wrapped in fog. Mount Taranaki is capricious, and only reveals itself to the lucky ones! Or the most persevering...
North of the Central Plateau, the climate is more stable and the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Auckland and Northland regions enjoy mild, pleasant temperatures all year round, particularly in Northland, nicknamed the "Winterless North".

Precautions to take on site

Due to its island nature, Aotearoa has a very unstable climate. Depending on wind direction, it can go from winter to summer in the same day. So it's best to adopt the local habit of dressing in "layers", i.e. superimposing layers that can be added or removed.
When you go for a walk, you need to be prepared for anything. Always pack a windbreaker and waterproof jacket, even if the sun is shining when you set off. In mountainous regions, it's a good idea to take gloves and hats with you whatever the season, because you never know what might fall on your nose. Snow can sometimes fall suddenly and unexpectedly in the middle of summer.

Don't forget your sun cream, factor 50 no less. The sun here is much more brutal than in our latitudes, due to a thinning of the ozone layer (the famous "hole"). New Zealand has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.