New Zealand experiences four main seasons - Summer, Autumn, Winter & Spring. Northern New Zealand is a sub-tropical region while the South is temperate and so the seasons become more distinct as one moves from the North to the South. Being an island there is no great extremes of temperatures, with about 10 degrees difference between winter and summer. The warmest months are December, January and February with the maximum summer temperatures ranging from 20°C-26°C and it is the coolest in June, July and August when the maximum winter temperatures range from 10°C-15°C. There is no rainy season except for the far south New Zealand which experiences less rain in summer than in winter. New Zealand's mountain resorts provide some of the best skiing in the world. In winters, it is usually too mild for New Zealand towns to experience snow. In the far south, snow may be experienced a few days a year. A perfect weather for holiday destinations. The Alps in New Zealand are snow covered throughout the year and there are extensive snowfields and glaciers. 

Sunshine
Most places in New Zealand receive over 2000 hours of sunshine a year, with the sunniest areas - Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay and Nelson/Marlborough - receiving over 2350 hours. As New Zealand observes daylight saving, during summer months daylight can last up until 9.00pm. New Zealand experiences relatively little air pollution compared to many other countries, which makes the UV rays in the sunlight very strong during the summer months. In order to avoid sunburn, visitors should wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats when they are in direct summer sunlight, especially in the heat of the day (11am to 4pm). While summer is sunnier than the other seasons, most regions in New Zealand have a relatively high proportion of sunlight during the winter months.

Rainfall
New Zealand's average rainfall is high - between 640mm and 1500mm - and evenly spread throughout the year. As well as producing areas of stunning native forest, this high rainfall makes New Zealand an ideal place for farming and horticulture.

Summer
New Zealand's summer months are December to February, bringing high temperatures and sunshine. Days are long and sunny, nights are mild. Summer is an excellent time for walking in the bush and a variety of other outdoor activities. New Zealand's many gorgeous beaches are ideal for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, boating, and water sports during summer.

Autumn
March to May are New Zealand's autumn months. While temperatures are a little cooler than summer, the weather can be excellent, and it is possible to swim in some places until April. While New Zealand's native fauna is evergreen, there are many introduced deciduous trees. Colourful changing leaves make autumn a scenic delight, especially in regions such as Central Otago and Hawke's Bay, which are known for their autumn splendour.

Winter
New Zealand's winter months of June to August bring colder weather to much of the country, and more rain to most areas in the North Island. Mountain ranges in both islands become snow-covered, providing beautiful vistas and excellent skiing. While the South Island has cooler winter temperatures, some areas of the island experience little rainfall in winter, so this is an excellent time to visit glaciers, mountains, and other areas of scenic beauty.

Spring
Spring lasts from September to November, and New Zealand's spring weather can range from cold and frosty to warm and hot. During spring buds, blossoms, and other new growth bursts forth throughout the country and new born lambs frolic in the fields just before dusk.. Both Alexandra in Central Otago and Hastings in Hawke's Bay celebrate spring with a blossom festival. If you're into white water rafting, this is the time when melting spring snow makes river water levels excitingly high!

		North Island	South Island
Summer	December, January, February	16°C - 25°C	13°C - 22°C
Autumn	March, April, May	13°C - 19°C	07°C - 17°C
Winter	June, July, August	08°C - 13°C	02°C - 10°C
Spring	September, October, November	11°C - 17°C	07°C - 17°C

Regional Temperatures - Climate Chart