Good to know about NZ
New Zealand goes through four seasons – summer, autumn, winter, and spring – just like any
other country that lies in a temperate region on either the Northern or Southern Hemisphere.
We translate the seasons in New Zealand to months, see below:
- Summer in New Zealand: December, January, February
- Autumn in New Zealand: March, April, May
- Winter in New Zealand: June, July, August
- Spring in New Zealand: September, October, November
![Spring Lamb](/sites/default/files/inline-images/spring_lamb_1.jpg)
Spring (September – November)
Highlights:
- It’s the time of the year to see spring blossoms.
- There should still be some snow on the mountain tops.
Pros:
- It is not a very busy season, although there are school holidays that fall in this season so things
- may be a bit more busy during the school holidays period.
- If snow conditions are still good, you can still go skiing early spring.
Cons:
- It is still cold but getting warmer. By the time November arrives, it should start to feel like summer.
- The weather is still pretty unstable and lots of rain tends to fall, especially in October.
![Summer](/sites/default/files/inline-images/summer_3.jpg)
Summer (December – February)
Highlights:
- You can pick fruits or visit fruit stalls, especially on the South Island.
- You can visit beaches on the North Island or South Island.
- This is the time of the year (Christmas) that the pohutukawa and southern rata are in bloom.
Pros:
- The temperatures should be pleasant and warm, and you can expect lots of sun.
- You can go anywhere or do anything, except for skiing, but the latter also applies to autumn.
Cons:
- It is the busiest season of the year with tourists entering New Zealand
- New Zealanders often take a long vacation.
- There is not much snow on the mountains, except for mountains that are
very high like Mount Cook, which tends to have snow on its top all year round.
![Autumn](/sites/default/files/inline-images/autumn_web_0.jpg)
Autumn (March – May)
Highlights:
- You can see fall foliage on the South Island and also on the North Island in a few selected places.
- Mountain tops can have a dusting of snow.
Pros:
- The weather is still good to be out and about, but rainfall tends to increase in this season.
- It is not a very busy season, especially toward the end of autumn.
Cons:
- This is the season that it starts to get cold in New Zealand, especially at night.
- The weather deteriorates as the end of autumn approaches.
![Winter](/sites/default/files/inline-images/winter_web_0.jpg)
Winter (June – August)
Highlights:
- The mountains on the South Island are snow-capped or snow-covered. They may also be snow-capped on the North Island.
- You can go skiing on either the South Island, which has the most ski fields, or on the North Island in the Central Plateau where the volcanoes are located.
Pros:
- Winter offers some of the best light for landscape photography in New Zealand – if you are into that.
- Except for in and around skiing areas, winter is generally not a very busy season, but there is a school holiday period that falls
in this season when things can get very busy in places such as Queenstown and Mount Hutt on the South Island.
Cons:
- It can get very cold sometimes, especially on the South Island at night.
- Travel can be disrupted due to snow or ice on the road, or heavy rainfall.
If you come on our course in winter make sure you are prepared with a
warm hat, scarf, warm socks, and a good jacket.