Exquisite light, clear skis and bright shades of red, gold and yellow
New Zealand is the country of four distinct seasons. As each season comes to a close, the new season slips in where the previous one ended.
Spring, summer, autumn and winter all bring their own spectacular interpretation of the local surroundings. The autumnal months of March to May mean calm, fresh, settled skis, vibrant-coloured landscapes and exciting seasonal events all over the country.
Temperatures in autumn are pleasant and access to popular spots are made more enjoyable with the absence of the busy summer crowds.
While New Zealand appears impressive on film all year round, autumn provides exquisite light, clear skis and bright shades of red, gold and yellow, making holiday snaps even more spectacular.
Visitors who are keen to indulge in a spot of running, walking, hiking or cycling are sure to appreciate the autumn beauty while engaging in their outdoor pursuits.
Dining out is a pleasure throughout the harvest months and the many music events throughout the country take advantage of these flourishing months by combining live entertainment with food and wine, all the while being surrounded by spectacular scenery.
Autumn Events Not To Miss
, Northland 3-7 March 2009 This ever-popular 5-day fishing tournament on Ninety Mile Beach awards a first prize of $50,000 and total prize pool of NZ$250,000.
5-8 March 2009 Four days jam-packed full of concerts and outdoor events featuring national and international musicians.
5-22 March 2009 This huge 18-day festival features more than 200 events including theatre, dance, cabaret, concerts, circus and exhibitions from New Zealand and the Pacific.
, Christchurch 11-15 March 2009 After relocating from Auckland, the Ellerslie International Flower Show has now moved to the Garden City of Christchurch.
, Arrowtown 12-15 March 2009 New Zealand’s richest sporting event with prize money of NZ$1,500,000, this challenging new championship course offers spectacular views over the Queenstown area.
, New Plymouth 13-15 March 2009 World of Music Arts and Dance is a collection of more than 300 international artists for a weekend of rhythm, sights and sounds in lush parkland surroundings .
, Hokitika, West Coast 14 March 2009 Wildfoods Festival is New Zealand's most unique event, famed for its weird and wonderful food such as seaweed smoothies and wasp larvae ice-cream.
, Marlborough 21 March 2009 The capital of greenshell mussels celebrates the harvest with tasting, competitions and live-music.
25-29 March 2009 New Zealand's premier ballooning festival featuring up to 30 hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes come together to provide this 5-day visual spectacle over the Waikato region.
, Christchurch 3-5 April 2009 This boutique event brings together a gathering of quality exhibitors to provide a culinary event of great seasonal taste.
, Tauranga 9-13 April 2009 New Zealand's jazz party of the year creates a huge celebration of food, wine, music and jazz.
, Christchurch 13-19 April 2009 New Zealand's largest combined jazz and blues festival whips up a musical extravaganza in The Garden City.
, Queenstown 17 April 2009 A major new sporting event, Tour de Wakatipu is a 45km mountain bike challenge that covers a spectacular course incorporating two lakes, two rivers and a series of new trails, finishing at the renowned Chard Farm winery.
17-26 April 2009 One of the most beautiful locations to view autumn’s arrival, the picturesque gold mining town of Arrowtown proudly shows off its dramatic autumn colours throughout this fun-filled festival.
18-19 April 2009 There’s no better location to appreciate gourmet food than in the province that produces some of New Zealand's best fruit, meat, wine, oils, and cheese.
, Wanaka 28 April-3 May 2009 A biennial celebration of the arts with six days and nights of performances and exhibitions set against the spectacular autumnal backdrop of the Southern Lakes.
23 May 2009 Enjoy the harvests best seafood at this annual event and find yourself surrounded by mountains of fresh seafood, delicious food, fine wine and great entertainment.
