Climate

The New Zealand climate is varied due to the country’s long and skinny shape. The far north of the North Island has a subtropical climate while the rest of the North Island and most of the South Island are temperate.

In New Zealand, the seasons occur in reverse of the Northern Hemisphere. This means that the warmest months are December through to February, with June, July and August being the coldest months of the year.

Average summer temperatures range between 20 ºC and 30 ºC, and average winter temperatures range between 10 ºC and 15 ºC. However, due to its island location, the weather can change unexpectedly wherever you are in New Zealand, with tropical cyclones and cold fronts coming in quickly. As the popular Crowded House song goes – New Zealand can have ‘four seasons in one day’!

It’s therefore important to put some warm clothes in your suitcase, dress in layers and have a light raincoat handy, especially when you’re out and about hiking the Great Walks and other trails! You can check the latest weather forecasts on www.metservice.co.nz.