Climate and weather in New Zealand

Average temperatures

Mountain ranges, coastal areas, hills, plains and forests – the New Zealand environment is as diverse as it is beautiful. The New Zealand summer lasts from December until February, bringing high temperatures and sunshine, while June, July and August are generally the coldest months.

New Zealand's weather system is complex and varied, from the subtropical far north to the cooler south. Overall, the temperature in New Zealand is moderate, seldom reaching temperatures above 35°C or dropping below -10°C.

Frosts can occur anywhere in the country. The warmest months of the year are January and February, and the coldest month is usually July. The hottest temperature on record is 42°C (Marlborough), with the lowest being -22°C (Christchurch and Rangiora).

Climate zones

Mountain ranges in both the North and the South Islands are the chief contributors to New Zealand's climatic diversity.

The 'winterless north' at the top of the North Island is a sub-tropical climate zone, experiencing humid summers and mild winters. In summer the maximum air temperature is usually between 22°C and 26°C, and in winter the maximum will be 12°C to 17°C. Warm summer days are often tempered by cool sea breezes.

The eastern North Island is settled and sunny in summer, with the maximum temperature in summer usually ranging from 20°C to 28°C, although sometimes exceeding 30°C. Strong, dry foehn winds may occur on particularly hot summer days. Coastal areas enjoy pleasant sea breezes. Winter maximum temperatures lie between 10°C and 16°.

The central South Island experiences warm afternoons in summer, particularly when a hot dry foehn wind is blowing. The maximum summer daytime air temperature generally lies between 20°C to 26°C, although it sometimes rises above 30°C. This region can experience severe frosts in winter, and daytime maximum air temperatures range from 3°C to 11°C.

The south of the South Island is heavily influenced by the changing weather patterns out at sea. While the summer daytime maximum usually falls between 16°C to 23°C, a hot north-westerly wind may cause the temperature to rise above 30°C. Winters are cold, with maximum daily air temperatures ranging from 8°C to 12°C, and although snow is fairly rare, frosts are common.

Rainy days vs sunny skies

New Zealand has a moderate climate, and most places in New Zealand enjoy at least 2000 hours of sunshine annually. The proportion of hours of sunshine in winter is also pleasantly high.

The sunniest spots in New Zealand are Blenheim and Whakatane, with over 2400 hours of annual sunshine – compare that with London's 1200!

However, New Zealand has a complex and varied climate, and the amount of rain you experience will depend on where you settle. Overall, New Zealand's level of rainfall is quite high, ranging from 640mm to 1500mm per year.

With a predominance of coastal regions, weather patterns tend to be quite changeable. In northern and central New Zealand the highest levels of rainfall occur in the winter months of June and July, while in the most southern regions of the country rainfall decreases during this time.

The wettest part of the country is the West Coast of the South Island. In Fiordland rain can be expected 200 days a year, making it one of the wettest places on the planet as well as one of the most beautiful, with lush rainforests and waterfalls. Northern cities experience considerably higher levels of rainfall, but have fewer rainy days.

Much of the climatic diversity in New Zealand can be attributed its mountain ranges. About 100km (across the Southern Alps) from the West Coast is New Zealand's driest region, Canterbury.

Of New Zealand's major cities Christchurch receives the least rain with an average annual rainfall of 640mm, while Auckland's climate borders on sub-tropical, with high levels of humidity during summer and wet but mild winters. The weather can change quite rapidly, and it is possible to experience hail storms and sunshine within the same hour. This is commonly referred to as 'four seasons in one day'. The average annual rainfall in Auckland is 1250mm.

New Zealand's location and environment mean that special precautions need to be taken to avoid the downside of all that sunshine. Low levels of air pollution make the UV rays in our sun very powerful. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.

Current weather

Niwa provides detailed information on New Zealand's climate, and updates on today's weather in New Zealand can be found on the MetService website.