New Zealand is totally usual country with a special climate, unique flora and fauna, and its own cultural features. Seasons here are completely reversed. Climate of New Zealand is mostly defined by close Antarctic and Pacific Ocean which gently washes shores of two main islands of country. That’s why glaciers on the south of county don’t melt even in summer.

Due to its location in southern hemisphere New Zealand has reversed order of summer and winter months. New Year here is celebrated under the scorching rays of hot sun in the middle of summer. And July is time to go to mountains and enjoy skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling. Climate varies from subtropical on the north to continental on south. The average annual temperature is about 16 to 20 °C (61 °F - 68 °F) and winter is not much cooler than summer except mountainous areas which ruled by eternal ice.

 

Seasons

 

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in New Zealand

Beginning of spring marks the beginning of mating season for animals in New Zealand. Surprisingly before Europeans arrived in New Zealand there were no mammals. The whales and seals which populated the coastal areas were kind of exception. Ermine, rabbits, domestic goats, cows and pigs were later brought by settlers.

But the birds of New Zealand (strange wingless kiwi which became the symbol of the country, amusing kakapo and curious kea) still cause undying interest of ornithologists around the world. Going for a walk in the forests of New Zealand it is better to stock up with means from mosquitoes. But there are no snakes in here.

Climate of the Spring Months

September Max average t°: +14°C (57 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 95 mm (3.7") Water t°: +11 °C (52 °F)

October Max average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Min average t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 100 mm (3.9") Water t°: +12 °C (54 °F)

November Max average t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Min average t°: +10 °C (50 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 90 mm (3.5") Water t°: +13 °C (55 °F)

(Wellington)

Spring Holidays

September 4th: Father's Day.
September 26th: Dominion Day.

October 4th: eDay.
October 24th: Labor Day.

November 5th: Guy Fawkes Night.
Second week of November: Canterbury show.

Summer in New Zealand

Choking and hot summer in New Zealand starts at December. Mountain journeys are preferable for this period. You can, for example, repeat the path of the famous Tasman or hike along the Queen Charlotte’s road.

Great chance to participate grand festival “Summer City Programme” appears for those who prefer to stay in the city in summertime. Festival’s program is exceptional mixture of colorful shows, parade processions, demonstrations of folk customs and of course tastings of local dishes. There is an exhibition of traditional Maori dishes. There you can taste pork offal, sheep's eyes, live insects and other delights of the island cuisine. Famous wine festival in Marlborough is rounding the program. It is a great opportunity to taste local Riesling and Chardonnay. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is considered as the best white wine in the world.

 

Climate of the Summer Months

 

December Max average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 90 mm (3.5") Water t°: +14 °C (57 °F)

January Max average t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 80 mm (3.1") Water t°: +16 °C (61 °F)

February Max average t°: +21°C (70 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 80 mm (3.1") Water t°: +17 °C (63 °F)

(Wellington)

Summer Holidays

December 2nd: National Day of flip flops.
December 25th: Christmas.
December 26th: St. Stephen's Day (Boxing Day).

January 1st: New Year’s Day.
January-February: Summer City Programme.

February 6th: Waitangi Day.
In February: Wine Marlborough Festival.

Autumn in New Zealand

Autumn comes in March and brings begging of harvesting works. Firstly they are about kiwi fruit. This exotic plant is similar to European grapes. Then it is time to gather fragrant feijoas, refreshing Horned melons which a similar to yellow prickly cucumbers and juicy nashi pears. The last mentioned fruits are quite different to other. They are similar to European pears but more juicy and softer.

Forests are full of unique trees. For example pōhutukawa which is similar to European Christmas tree but blooms with numerous red flowers. Other you wander in thickets of giant kauri and Kohi Kohi trees or in gorgeous alpine meadows up in mountains.

 

Climate of the Autumn Months

 

March Max average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 80 mm (3.1") Water t°: +16 °C (61 °F)

April Max average t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Min average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 95 mm (3.7") Water t°: +15 °C (52 °F)

May Max average t°: +14 °C (57 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 115 mm (4.5") Water t°: +14 °C (57 °F)

(Wellington)

Autumn Holidays

March 6th: Children's Day.
Middle of March: Fiesta week.
March 23rd (2016): Good Friday of the western Christians.
March 28th (2016): Easter.

April 25th: ANZAC Day.
May 8th: Mother’s Day.

Winter in New Zealand

Winter in New Zealand means endless rains with squally winds and heavy snowfalls in mountains. However climate between June and August is relatively mild in coastal areas where the most cities and beaches are located.

Christmas is celebrated again on July 25th. This is additional so called “July Christmas”. Apparently people of New Zealand so liked that holiday that had decided to celebrate it twice a year.

Climate of the Winter Months

June Max average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Min average t°: +7 °C (45 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 12 days Precipitation: 115 mm (4.5") Water t°: +13 °C (55 °F)

July Max average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Min average t°: +6 °C (43 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 12 days Precipitation: 115 mm (4.5") Water t°: +12 °C (54 °F)

August Max average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Min average t°: +6 °C (43 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 12 days Precipitation: 115 mm (4.5") Water t°: +12 °C (54 °F)

(Wellington)

Winter Holidays

June 5th: Arbor Day.

July 1st: Day of tartan.
July 25th: Additional Christmas.