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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

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in New Zealand, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Great

    Feb: Great

  • Crowds

    Jan: High

    Feb: High

  • Prices

    Jan: High

    Feb: High

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 5

    Feb: 2

January: Peak summer and local holidays: long days, warm lakes; book cars, ferries and huts well ahead.

February: The most settled weather of the year; school is back, so beaches ease after Waitangi Day.

New Zealand: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

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