Country · 37 destinations
Best time to visit New Zealand
The best time to visit New Zealand is December–March. Its destinations score highest in February, with an average travel score of 76 out of 100.
The climate in New Zealand through the year
When to go
New Zealand scores highest on Eddigo’s travel score in December–March, with an average of 76 out of 100 in February across the 17 destinations Eddigo covers. Daytime highs in February range from 20°C in Oreti Beach to 25°C in Hamilton. April and November are a fair alternative. The lowest average is in July (29), with daytime highs from 8°C to 16°C.
Where in the country
In February, the highest scores are in Christchurch (80), Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē / Ninety Mile Beach (80) and Anawhata (79), while Oreti Beach scores 59. The destinations do not all peak at the same time:
- February: Auckland, Queenstown, Manukau, Hamilton, Dunedin and 6 more
- January: Christchurch, Wellington, Rotorua, Tauranga, Lower Hutt and 1 more
Warmest, coolest, wettest and driest
Over the year, Manukau is the warmest destination (daytime highs averaging 20°C) and Oreti Beach the coolest (15°C). Wharariki Beach gets the most precipitation, about 2,540 mm a year, and Dunedin the least, about 680 mm. The highest-lying is Whakapapa skifield at about 1,750 m. The warmest sea is at Manukau: 22°C in February.
By type of trip
The best months change with what you want to do. With Eddigo’s trip types, New Zealand averages 65 or more in these months:
- City break: November–April. Best in February: Christchurch (80), Auckland (78) and Manukau (78)
Month by month
Score: average of the cities and beach destinations with the default preferences (ski resorts are left out). Day: lowest to highest typical daytime temperature among them. Sea: the warmest. Rain: average.