| Of all the questions I that are put to me, the most | | | | to dramatic russet browns, reds and golden shades. |
| difficult question is "When is the best time to go to | | | | To see these changes at its vibrant best, then visit |
| New Zealand?" Without knowing what your interests | | | | Wanaka and the Otago region of New Zealand in the |
| are, or what you want to do, it is very hard to | | | | South Island; or Hawkes Bay in New Zealand's North |
| answer. The question may be "When is the best | | | | Island. If you are looking at a self drive holiday, then |
| weather in New Zealand?" However the answer may | | | | travel any time after Easter, and the roads and |
| change depending on what your interests are. So | | | | number of other tourists are always reduced; so |
| perhaps you want to come and go hiking, fishing or | | | | autumn is always one of the best times to travel to |
| skiing. Maybe you are interested in gardening, or just | | | | New Zealand. |
| want to do a self drive holiday. All of these will give a | | | | Winter in New Zealand - June to August |
| different answer to the question "What is the best | | | | Winter in New Zealand is when the mountains get |
| time of year to visit New Zealand". | | | | their annual coating of snow, and the skiers come |
| In order to find out what is the best time to travel | | | | out to play! There is a great choice of Ski Areas in |
| to New Zealand, you should first decide the places | | | | New Zealand to choose from, for both advanced |
| you wish to visit; as well as the attractions, activities | | | | skiers and the first time novice. Turoa and |
| or tours that you would like to do. Once you know | | | | Whakapapa Ski Areas in Tongariro National Park are |
| this, it is a lot easier decide when to visit New | | | | extremely popular with skiers from Auckland in the |
| Zealand. | | | | North Island. Whereas in the South Island you can ski |
| The climate in New Zealand is fairly mild, so it makes | | | | to your hearts content in Queenstown, Wanaka, Mt |
| a great year round destination to visit. Each season in | | | | Hutt or one of the many small club ski areas. The ski |
| New Zealand has an appeal all of its own. Although | | | | season normally runs from June to early October, |
| the weather in New Zealand over summer | | | | though Whakapapa's season often goes for much |
| (December to February) is of course warmer; | | | | longer. |
| travelling over this period is not necessarily the best | | | | Skiing is often combined with a self-drive holiday. As |
| choice, or due to other obligations is sometimes not | | | | there is very little traffic on the roads, and snow falls |
| possible. | | | | are generally in the mountains, driving is normally very |
| New Zealand's weather is very changeable, as a | | | | easy. Snow in the valleys normally only occurs with |
| result this means that even over summer there are | | | | the heaviest snow falls. |
| always quite a few cooler and wetter days. As far | | | | The North Island in winter is colder and a little wetter |
| as rainfall goes, over winter (June to August) the | | | | than the rest of the year. However the South Island |
| North Island of New Zealand is a little wetter than | | | | is generally a little drier, with clear skies and crisp |
| the rest of the year; whilst the South Island is slightly | | | | winter nights. |
| drier. Though there is less sunshine, there are still | | | | Spring in New Zealand - September to November |
| many sunny days over winter. The highest rainfall | | | | Spring is a great time of year to visit New Zealand. |
| falls generally in the Fiordland and West Coast regions | | | | The mountains still have their covering of snow, with |
| of the South Island of New Zealand; whilst the areas | | | | the ski season coming to a close in early October. |
| with the greatest sunshine are Nelson and | | | | The annual spring melt, makes it a popular time for |
| Marlborough in the South Island; as well as Hawkes | | | | adventure seekers to go white water rafting in the |
| Bay and the Bay of Plenty in the North Island. | | | | swollen rivers. Spring is also a popular time to visit |
| Coming prepared | | | | New Zealand, with the new growth and buds bursting |
| In all seasons you should come prepared for cooler | | | | into flower. In the North Island gardeners flock to |
| and wetter weather. We suggest that at all times of | | | | Taranaki for the annual Rhododendron and Garden |
| the year you dress in layers. It is better to bring a | | | | Festival; or alternatively travel to the Bay of Plenty |
| number of warm thinner layers, rather than one thick | | | | and Hawkes Bay to see the magnificent blossom in |
| pullover, as well as a good quality waterproof jacket. | | | | flower. |
| This allows you to quickly adjust to sudden changes | | | | In the South Island you soon learn why Christchurch |
| in climate each day by adding or removing layers. | | | | is called the "Garden City", as the parks and gardens |
| Nevertheless all year round, you should also be ready | | | | are alive with colour. A visit to Hagley Park and the |
| for sunny days, so you should always bring a hat, | | | | Botanic Gardens is a must. Further south Dunedin has |
| sunglasses and sunscreen - you may need them! | | | | many historic gardens including Larnach Castle, |
| Summer in New Zealand - December to February | | | | Olveston House and Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens. |
| Visiting New Zealand in summer allows you be there | | | | Nearby is Alexandra where you can see the blossom |
| during New Zealand's warmest and best weather. | | | | and the annual spring festival. |
| However if you are looking for a quiet summer | | | | Best Time for New Zealand Self Drive Holidays |
| holiday, then perhaps come some other time! | | | | If you can avoid the annual summer rush to New |
| Summer is the peak season for tourists in New | | | | Zealand, then you will always find your New Zealand |
| Zealand, and as a result it gets very busy. | | | | self drive holiday to be much more relaxed, and save |
| Accommodation, transport and activities do require | | | | you money in the pocket! This particularly applies to |
| booking ahead; and prices tend to be substantially | | | | Motorhome and Campervan Rental, where costs |
| higher. | | | | reduce dramatically the further you move your travel |
| Autumn (Fall) in New Zealand - March to May | | | | from the December to February high season. As well |
| Travel to New Zealand in autumn brings with it the | | | | as substantially lower rates, rental companies often |
| chance to see the magnificent kaleidoscope of | | | | encourage travel with extra specials over the low |
| colours, as the leaves on the trees and plants change | | | | season between May and September. |