Best time to visit New Zealand

Find the best time to visit New Zealand and plan your perfect trip in 2024/2025. Get holiday inspiration, weather guides, travel advice and find great deals.

New Zealand by month

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Top New Zealand destinations

Below are the temperatures expected today at popular countries, regions and places in New Zealand. Select a destination to compare today's forecast with average weather conditions.

All New Zealand destinations

When is the best time to visit New Zealand?

The best time to visit New Zealand (Wellington) is January based on the following average weather conditions.

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Hours of Sunshine (daily)

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
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  • Nov
  • Dec

Which is the hottest month in New Zealand?

The hottest time of year in Wellington, New Zealand is normally January. Expect maximum daytime temperatures to reach 20°C.

Which month has the most rain in New Zealand?

In terms of rainfall, July is usually the wettest month in Wellington, New Zealand with 144mm on average. There are normally 16 days in July with some rain.

When is it sunniest in New Zealand?

The sunniest time of year in Wellington, New Zealand is normally February with bright sunshine on average for 52% of daylight hours; that's 7 hours of sunshine per day.

When is the sea warmest in New Zealand?

The sea is usually at its warmest in Wellington, New Zealand in February when the water temperature reaches 17°C.

Best time to visit

The weather guide for New Zealand (Wellington) shows long term weather averages processed from data supplied by CRU (University of East Anglia) & today's weather forecast provided by meteoblue. Find out more about our data sources.

Metric (°C / mm)  |  Imperial (°F / inches)

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New Zealand weather overview

Given its South Pacific location (1,200 miles (1,900km) from the nearest landmass), New Zealand has a sunnier climate than one might expect. Its North and South Islands are hilly and mountainous with excellent winter sports in the Southern Alps and spectacular fjords and glaciers. Auckland lies at the top of North Island, the warmest part of New Zealand, and its inhabitants bask in subtropical conditions and enjoy mild winters and warm, humid summers although they can be rained on at any time of the year.

On the southern coast, where Wellington and Napier are located, temperatures are slightly lower than in the north and inland conditions can become very frosty during the winter.

South Island, which houses Christchurch and Dunedin, is rather colder than North Island and has more of a maritime climate with little variation in coastal temperatures between summer (October to March) and winter (April to September). Inland, winters are colder with occasional snow on lower ground and heavy snowfalls in the mountains.

Rainfall is high on the west coast throughout the year but the Canterbury Plains are the driest part of New Zealand.

What to pack for New Zealand weather

Take light clothing if you are travelling in the summer or confining your visit to North Island. On South Island, fairly warm clothes are needed for the winter with heavier wear for trips to the mountains. Whenever you go and wherever you are going, anticipate some rain!

New Zealand travel features

Do you want to learn more about New Zealand? Read our latest features covering travel tips and insider destination guides on where to go and what to do in New Zealand.

We don't currently have any travel features on New Zealand. Discover more about holiday destinations around the world with this selection of general travel articles.

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