2 min summary Best time to visit Map & highlights Adventure activities Fiordland & Milford Sound Maori culture Walking Wildlife Accessible tours Small group tours Tips & advice Responsible tourism

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.

Our New Zealand Vacations

Auckland Weather Chart

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Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about New Zealand or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.

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1-866-821-6866

Call toll free

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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.

More about New Zealand

New Zealand travel guide

If you’re looking for your next vacation destination then read our New Zealand travel guide before you consider any other options. We’ve compiled tips and advice for what we think is one of the world’s most exciting vacation destinations right now.

New Zealand map & highlights

Make the most of your time in New Zealand with our interactive New Zealand map & itineraries page, helping you get around both islands with maximum efficiency, minimum fuss.

Adventure vacations in New Zealand

Our top eight adventure activities in New Zealand range from ‘softer’ experiences such as trekking and kayaking to more extreme.

Fiordland & Milford Sound

Maori mythology ascribes New Zealand’s fiords to a giant stonemason, but these deep valleys were actually carved by glaciers over millions of years.

Maori culture in New Zealand

As appealing as they may be, you can find mountains, dolphins and bungee jumps in many countries - no, what makes New Zealand truly unique is its Maori culture.

Walking vacations in New Zealand

New Zealand walks are some of the finest in the world, taking you through such astonishingly diverse and awe inspiring scenery you may be tempted to just keep going, and going.

Wildlife in New Zealand

From enormous whales to miniscule glow worms, the wildlife in New Zealand is like nowhere else on Earth – literally - many species, such as the Hector’s dolphin, are found here and here only.

Accessible tours in New Zealand

You may not be planning on doing any bungee jumping, but that aside, New Zealand is a very accessible country for travelers with special requirements.

Small group tours in New Zealand

Small group vacations are the perfect option for any age whether you’re vacationing solo, as a couple or a group of friends, and they're especially good for less confident travelers.

Traveling with children in New Zealand

If you've got plans to go traveling in New Zealand with kids then right here is what we recommend in terms of activities for families in New Zealand and what to do with little ones.

New Zealand travel advice

This should always be the first page you come to when looking for New Zealand vacations advice as we've asked for tips from our friends in New Zealand, including Miles Clark, Linzi Bird and Caroline Stafford.

Responsible tourism in New Zealand

Our guide to responsible tourism in New Zealand is a worthwhile read, with sections on Maori culture, dolphin watching and Easter bunny hunts all helping you travel right.

More relevant guides

Written by Chris Owen

Best time to visit New Zealand

Best time to visit New Zealand