New Zealand is a great destination year round; it has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons:
- Spring = September-November
- Summer = December-February
- Autumn = March-May
- Winter = June-August
Though free from major extremes, the weather can be changeable. Seasonal temperatures vary by only 10C on average throughout most of the country. If you’re looking for a ski holiday, then predictably winter is the best time to visit (June to August), or for a beach holiday the prime time is summer (December to February).
However, the quieter shoulder seasons are excellent times to visit New Zealand away from the crowds, especially autumn when the weather usually remains settled and warm.
