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When to go · New Zealand

New Zealand in December

Great month. Summer begins; after 20 December locals take the roads and campsites — book everything.

Key facts

Verdict
Great
Crowds
High
New Zealand
Prices
High
New Zealand

Verdict

GreatVoykit month rating for New Zealand

Summer begins; after 20 December locals take the roads and campsites — book everything.

Is another month better than December?

No other month rates higher than December for New Zealand in this guide.

Weather in December

  • Northland and Auckland · Bay of Islands, Auckland, Coromandelbest weather

    Subtropical-mild: humid summers around 24 °C (75 °F), wet but rarely cold winters (14 °C (57 °F) days); showers in any month.

  • Central North Island · Rotorua, Taupō, Tongarirobest weather

    The volcanic plateau is high: frosts and snow on the Tongariro Crossing in winter (guided only then); summer is the crossing season.

  • Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson · Wellington, Picton, Nelson, Abel Tasmanbest weather

    Nelson and Blenheim are the sunniest towns in the country; Wellington's wind and Cook Strait swell can cancel ferries.

  • Southern Alps and lakes · Queenstown, Wānaka, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Tekapobest weather

    Hot dry summers, clear cold winters with ski fields Jun–Sep; chains needed on passes; autumn colour in April.

  • West Coast and Fiordland · Franz Josef, Fox, Milford Sound, Te Anaufine

    Among the wettest places on earth (Milford gets 6–7 m a year): rain makes the waterfalls, but slips close roads; sandflies all summer.

  • Otago coast and far south · Dunedin, the Catlins, Stewart Islandfine

    Cool and changeable year-round; short winter days (about 9 hours of light in June).

  • Bay of Islands: Bay of Islands · Paihia, Russell, Kerikeri and the coastbest weather

    Subtropical: warmest and driest Dec–Mar (25–27 °C (77–81 °F) days), wettest and windiest Jun–Aug. Water is warmest Feb–Mar.

  • Far Far North: Far Far North · Aupouri Peninsulacool

    Summer (Dec–Apr) is warm and long‑daylight; winter can be cool and windy, especially on the coast.

  • Lower Northland: Coastal Lower Northland · Whangarei area and west coastcool

    Mild maritime climate; warmest Jan–Feb (~22 °C (72 °F)), coolest Jul–Aug (~12 °C (54 °F)). Rainfall spread year‑round.

  • North Island: Auckland and Northland · Upper North Islandbest weather

    Warmest and wettest part of the island; rain arrives in short heavy showers year-round.

  • North Island: Central North Island · Rotorua, Taupō, Tongarirobest weather

    Inland and higher; frost and snow on the volcanoes in winter (Jul–Aug), which is also the ski season.

  • North Island: Wellington · Greater Wellingtonbest weather

    Wind is the local weather; the ferry across Cook Strait can be cancelled in rough conditions.

  • South Island: West Coast · Franz Josef, Fox, Haastrainy

    One of the wettest places in New Zealand — over 2000 mm a year. Rain is normal; plan around it, not against it.

  • South Island: Canterbury and Mackenzie Country · Christchurch, Tekapo, Mount Cookbest weather

    Dry east of the Alps; hot northwesterly winds can push summer temperatures into the 30s. Winter snow closes alpine roads at times.

  • South Island: Otago and Southland · Queenstown, Wanaka, Dunedin, Te Anaubest weather

    Cooler the further south you go; alpine areas are cold in winter and snow-capped much of the year.

  • Wairarapa: Wairarapa · Sheltered east of the Rimutaka and Tararua rangesbest weather

    The ranges block the prevailing westerlies, so it is warmer and drier than Wellington. Summer (Dec–Mar) is the reliable window; winter is cool and can bring frost.

  • Auckland22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 10 rain days
  • Akaroa20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • Alexandra23 °C (73 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 7 rain days
  • Arrowtown22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Blenheim23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Bluff18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 14 rain days
  • Browns Bay22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • Cambridge23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days
  • Carterton22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days
  • Charleston20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 12 rain days
  • Christchurch21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • Collingwood21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days
  • Coromandel22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 7 rain days
  • Cromwell22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • Dannevirke21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • Dargaville23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 7 rain days
  • Devonport23 °C (73 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • Dunedin18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 7 rain days
  • Elsthorpe23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Fairlie20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Feilding22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 9 rain days
  • Flaxmere21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days
  • Fox Glacier20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 15 rain days
  • Franz Josef20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 15 rain days
  • Gisborne24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Glenorchy21 °C (70 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days
  • Gore20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days
  • Granity20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 13 rain days
  • Greymouth20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 15 rain days
  • Haast19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 15 rain days
  • Hahei23 °C (73 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • Hamilton23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 10 rain days
  • Hanmer Springs22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Hastings25 °C (77 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Havelock22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Havelock North22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Hawera21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 10 rain days
  • Helensville24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 7 rain days
  • Hokitika20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 13 rain days
  • Horeke23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 10 rain days
  • Invercargill18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 15 rain days
  • Kaiapoi20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days
  • Kaikoura21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days
  • Kaitaia21 °C (70 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Karamea20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kerikeri23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days
  • Kingston20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Kohukohu23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 9 rain days
  • Koutu23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 9 rain days
  • Kūaotunu23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days
  • Lake Tekapo20 °C (68 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Leigh23 °C (73 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • Levin20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Long Bay24 °C (75 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 13 rain days
  • Lyttelton21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days
  • Manapouri20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 14 rain days
  • Mangamuka Bridge22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 9 rain days
  • Mapua21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days
  • Martinborough23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Masterton23 °C (73 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days
  • Matamata22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 6 rain days
  • Mataura19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days
  • Matawai22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days
  • Methven22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days
  • Milford Sound18.5 °C (65 °F) / 9.7 °C (49 °F), 18 rain days
  • Milton18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 10 rain days
  • Morere22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Mossburn20 °C (68 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Motueka22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days
  • Murchison20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 9 rain days
  • Muriwai22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days
  • Napier24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • National Park Village22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • Nelson22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • New Plymouth21 °C (70 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 10 rain days
  • Oamaru20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 9 rain days
  • Ohakune20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Omarama22 °C (72 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Onekaka22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Opononi23 °C (73 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • Opotiki22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days
  • Otaki20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Paekākāriki22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 10 rain days
  • Paihia23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days
  • Palmerston North22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 10 rain days
  • Paraparaumu21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days
  • Pauanui22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days
  • Picton21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days
  • Piha22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • Pirongia23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days
  • Pleasant Point21 °C (70 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 9 rain days
  • Port Chalmers19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 10 rain days
  • Puhoi23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 10 rain days
  • Punakaiki20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 13 rain days
  • Queenstown22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days
  • Raetihi20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days
  • Raglan22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 10 rain days
  • Rai Valley22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days
  • Ranfurly22 °C (72 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days
  • Rangiora21 °C (70 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 6 rain days
  • Rawene22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 10 rain days
  • Reefton20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 13 rain days
  • Renwick23 °C (73 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • Ross19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 13 rain days
  • Rotorua22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days
  • Russell23 °C (73 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • Seddon22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days
  • Shannon22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Springfield22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • St Arnaud21 °C (70 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Stratford20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 10 rain days
  • Taipa-Mangonui22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • Tairua23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days
  • Takaka21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 10 rain days
  • Takapuna22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • Taradale23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Taumarunui21 °C (70 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Taupō21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 11 rain days
  • Tauranga22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days
  • Te Awamutu22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Te Kuiti23 °C (73 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 10 rain days
  • Te Puke23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 9 rain days
  • Thames23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days
  • Timaru21 °C (70 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 9 rain days
  • Torbay22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • Turangi21 °C (70 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 10 rain days
  • Twizel22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Waihi Beach23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days
  • Waikanae22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Waipara22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 7 rain days
  • Waipukurau23 °C (73 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Wairoa23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 9 rain days
  • Waitomo22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days
  • Wakefield21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days
  • Wanaka23 °C (73 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 9 rain days
  • Ward21 °C (70 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days
  • Warkworth22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 9 rain days
  • Wellington20 °C (68 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days
  • Wellsford22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days
  • Westport20 °C (68 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 13 rain days
  • Whakatane23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days
  • Whangamata22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days
  • Whanganui21 °C (70 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days
  • Whangarei23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days
  • Whangaroa22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 10 rain days
  • Whataroa15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 11 rain days
  • Whitianga23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • Christmas and Boxing Day big impact

    25–26 Dec

    Shops closed on the 25th; start of the six-week summer holiday when locals take the campsites.

  • School holidays

    Apr, Jul, late Sep–Oct, mid-Dec – late Jan

    Family travel fills campervans, ski fields (July) and ferries.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · New Zealand
High
Prices · New Zealand
High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Compare two months

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

  • Verdict

    Dec: Great

    Jan: Great

  • Crowds

    Dec: High

    Jan: High

  • Prices

    Dec: High

    Jan: High

  • Festivals listed

    Dec: 2

    Jan: 5

December: Summer begins; after 20 December locals take the roads and campsites — book everything.

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

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

What to pack

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in December

Rated best or good this month

  • Northland and Auckland

    Best weather of the year (Bay of Islands, Auckland, Coromandel)

  • Central North Island

    Best weather of the year (Rotorua, Taupō, Tongariro)

  • Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson

    Best weather of the year (Wellington, Picton, Nelson, Abel Tasman)

  • Southern Alps and lakes

    Best weather of the year (Queenstown, Wānaka, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Tekapo)

  • Auckland

    Warm; Christmas crowds and school holidays.

  • Akaroa

    Best months: Nov–Apr; Dec–Feb is warmest but busiest

  • Alexandra

    Best months: Dec–Feb (warm, dry summer)

  • Arrowtown

    Best months: Mar–May (autumn colour), Dec–Mar (summer walking)

  • Blenheim

    Best months: Nov–Apr (warm, dry, long days); Feb–Apr for harvest

  • Bluff

    Best months: Nov–Apr; Mar–Aug for oysters

  • Browns Bay

    Best months: Nov–Apr (warm, sunny)

  • Cambridge

    Best months: Nov–Apr; Mar–Apr for settled weather and fewer crowds