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Best time to visit New Zealand

When is the best time to visit New Zealand? Find out with our useful month-by-month guide, along with weather charts and our highlights from the festival calendar. Whether you’re there for walking, wildlife, adventure or some epic family time, we show you the best months to visit New Zealand so you can make the most of your vacation.

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Best time to visit New Zealand

Flip northern hemisphere weather on its head and you've got nz, with more seasonal variation on south island than in the sub-tropical north.

The best time to visit New Zealand is December to February, the summer high season, for golden weather that makes hiking and wildlife-watching absolutely blissful. Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are generally mild and dry, the landscapes bursting with colour, though the shoulder months can get pretty miserable down on the South Island. December and March is the best time to spot orcas off Kaikoura (dolphins can be seen year-round). The grape harvest in New Zealand’s wine regions starts in February, while the autumn is also a very popular time for scenic cruises in Fjordland.

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When to go to New Zealand, month by month guide

Christmas in New Zealand is warm and Boxing Day (26th Dec) onwards is the traditional time for Kiwi families to hit the lakes or the beaches. The busiest locations over the festive period on North Island are Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, the Bay of Plenty, Taupo and Rotorua lake districts. Nelson, Queenstown and Arrowtown on South Island also get busy, but not quite as hectic as North Island. November, December, January, February and March are peak months for tourists so if you’re looking for more affordable prices and more space on hiking paths consider visiting either side of summer. Mid-March or mid-October are the best times to see migratory birds with Miranda on North Island and Farewell Spit on South Island witnessing thousands of species flocking to their shores. Out of New Zealand’s nine ‘Great Walks’ only the 80km Heaphy Track is open all year round with peak walking season lasting from October through to April. April and May are absolutely gorgeous with autumnal colours combining with good weather and off peak prices before the winter kicks in during June, July and August. May, June and July are also the best times to watch bottlenose dolphins and orcas around the Bay of Islands whereas sperm whales and humpbacks can be spotted off the coast of Kaikoura. Spring is another great time to visit New Zealand with September and October offering longer, warmer days, comfortably cool nights, tree blossom and snow-capped mountains.

Auckland Weather Chart

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Travel Team

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1-866-821-6866

Call toll free

Calling from outside the USA

rosy@responsibletravel.com

What happens when in New Zealand

Caroline Stafford at our New Zealand supplier Silver Fern Vacations shares her favourite foodie festivals: “Take your pick of the many, many food festivals that New Zealand has to offer throughout the year. Our personal favourites are the Marlborough food and wine festival in February; Toast Martinborough wine, food and music festival in November; Hokitika Wild Foods Festival in March and Bluff Oyster and Food Festival in May.”

Miles Clark, New Zealand expert at our supplier MoaTrek, shares his local knowledge:
“New Zealand is small but there is an amazing variety of scenery accessible without driving huge distances. If a traveler can budget three weeks for a tour they really have a good chance of seeing the best of NZ at a relaxed pace. November to March is peak season but April is also a great time to travel as there’s still good weather but less people. But do pack clothing for all weather possibilities, regardless of season.”

Best times to visit New Zealand for festivals & events

Did you know about...?

Matariki

Matariki is a Maori celebration of the first annual sighting of the Pleiades star cluster which occurs between late May and early June. This astronomical event signals the advent of the Maori New Year with numerous performing arts displays, kite flying festivals and lantern parades held across New Zealand alongside winter carnivals and family feasts.