Best time to visit · New Zealand
The best time to visit New Zealand
New Zealand's seasons differ by place. Here is the best time for each destination, month by month.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: elpinto007, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
December–March suit most of New Zealand. Auckland is at its best in February–April and December; Queenstown is at its best in July–August and December–March; Christchurch is at its best in December–March.
Key facts
- Best months overall
- December–March
- Destinations compared
- 4
Best months by destination
| Destination | Best months | Warmest month | Wettest month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | February–April and December | February (25°C) | July (16 days) |
| Queenstown | July–August and December–March | January (22°C) | October (10 days) |
| Christchurch | December–March | January (23°C) | July (9 days) |
| Wellington | December–March | February (21°C) | June (13 days) |
New Zealand month by month
| Month | At its best | Usually avoided |
|---|---|---|
| January | Queenstown, Christchurch, Wellington | — |
| February | Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, Wellington | — |
| March | Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, Wellington | — |
| April | Auckland | — |
| May | — | — |
| June | — | — |
| July | Queenstown | — |
| August | Queenstown | — |
| September | — | — |
| October | — | — |
| November | — | — |
| December | Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, Wellington | — |
What the seasons are like
- Auckland: Auckland has a mild, humid oceanic climate with warm summers and cool, wet winters that rarely bring frost.
- Queenstown: Queenstown has a semi-continental climate for New Zealand: warm, dry summers with long evenings, crisp autumns, cold winters with frost and snow on the surrounding mountains, and changeable springs.
- Christchurch: Christchurch has a temperate climate with warm, dry summers, crisp, frosty winters and rain spread through the year.
- Wellington: Wellington has a mild maritime climate with few extremes: summers are pleasantly warm, winters cool and wet but rarely frosty, and rain falls year-round.
Crowds and hotel prices
Relative levels from our destination research: when each place is busiest, and when rooms usually cost least.
| Destination | Busiest | Quietest | Lowest hotel prices | Warm & dry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | January | May | May | February |
| Queenstown | January | May | May | February |
| Christchurch | January | September | May | February |
| Wellington | January | May | May | February |
Events worth timing a trip around
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- Auckland, January: ASB Classic tennis tournament (usually early January)
- Auckland, January: Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta — harbour sailing (Monday nearest 29 January)
- Queenstown, January: New Year celebrations on the lakefront (31 December–1 January)
- Queenstown, April: Arrowtown Autumn Festival (usually April)
- Christchurch, January: World Buskers Festival — street performers across the city (usually January)
- Christchurch, June: Christchurch Marathon (usually early June)
- Wellington, January: Wellington Lantern Festival — Lunar New Year celebrations on the waterfront (usually January or February)
- Wellington, February: New Zealand Festival of the Arts (in some years, usually February–March)
Questions travellers ask
+When is New Zealand cheapest and quietest?
Auckland: May; Queenstown: May; Christchurch: May; Wellington: May.
+What is the best month to visit New Zealand?
February, when 4 of the 4 destinations in this guide are at their best.