As we slowly uncover the excitement of summer all around the world for you, we thought it would be a perforation not to stop by New Zealand. New Zealand has a comprehensive historical background with great people with diverse landscapes and pristine beaches. Summer in New Zealand is that time of the year which many are enthusiastically waiting to welcome. It is unquestionably a great summer vacation destination with many places to visit with hotter days and bright sunshine.
We would love to invite you to accompany us on the venture to the dazzling days of summer in New Zealand. So keep reading!
The Weather During the Summer in New Zealand

Generally, the official summer months of New Zealand are December, January, and February. With medium-high temperatures varying from 21 degrees Celsius (°C) to 25°C, summer in New Zealand is hot without staying humid. Sunshine hours are powerful, and rain is not overly prevalent in most places.
Weather in December
Even though it is summer, December could have spring-like weather, specifically on the North Island, with colder and rainy days. The longest day of the year is December 21, with long daylight hours. This day makes it a perfect time of the year to enjoy sunny evenings and Christmas celebrations. Summer for Kiwis is normally a time of gratifying and celebration. In fact, December is the peak time for their family get-togethers.
Auckland- the average high temperature is 22°C, and the average low is 15°C.
Queenstown- the average high temperature is 20°C, and the average low is 8°C.
Weather in January
January is the high summer of New Zealand. This is usually the busiest travel time of the year with the school holidays. In addition, barbeques are going so well, and footwear becomes optional during this time. New Zealand gets like six days of rain in January and the rest of the month with a lot of sunshine.
Auckland- the average high temperature is 24 degrees Celsius, and the average low is 16 degrees celsius.
Northland and Napier- temperatures regularly get near to 30°C.
South Island marks The warmest temperatures in the country, with the Christchurch area sometimes getting close to 40°C.
Queenstown – the average high temperature in January 22 °C and the average low 9°C recording a bit of a cooler temperature.
Weather in February
Along with January, February marks another hottest month of the year in New Zealand. There is an abundance of summer festivals and events lined up in this month. Schools usually restart during February so that it won’t be as busy as January.
Auckland- the average high temperature is 24°C, and the average low is 16°C.
In Queenstown- the average high temperature is 22°C, and the average low is 9°C.
What Are the Best Things You Can Do During the Summer in New Zealand?
As we mentioned above, New Zealand is a perfect summer vacation destination with plenty of things to do. So let’s go and check them out!

- Spot Pohutukawa- During summer, New Zealand’s native tree Pohutukawa also called the “Christmas Tree,” blooms a vibrant red. You can spot them mainly along the coastlines, which is admittedly eye candy.
- Enjoy the Island life- summer is the perfect season to enjoy water sports like kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, or swimming in the islands of this island nation. Places like Raglan, Taranaki, and Mount Maunganui are excellent for surfing.
- Have adventures with cycling and biking- enjoy the country’s best sceneries while taking an experience along the cycling trails around the country. Rotorua’s world-renowned mountain biking trails are just one of them.
- Go on a glacier hike- When there are days with clear skies and slight rain, you could have the joy of Heli hiking on the ancient Franz Josef Glazier.
Top Destinations for Summer in New Zealand

- Abel Tasman National Park
- Bay of Islands
- Coromandel Peninsula
- Dunedin
- Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound
- Franz Josef Glazier
- Mount Maunganui
- Napier
- Rotorua
- Tekapo
- Tongariro National Park
- Queenstown
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Summer Events and Festivals in New Zealand
These events on our list might have slight changes due to the prevailing global situation. However, we tried to cover all the festivals and events that usually take place in the summer in New Zealand.
- Laneway Festival
- Hokitika Wildfoods Festival
- Soundsplash
- Rhythm and Vines
- Rhythm and Alps
- Dimension
Please note- New Zealand is a country with a high UV environment. Therefore, skin cancer is so common there due to excess UV exposure. So make sure that you apply sunscreen with SPF 40+, wear sunglasses and hats or caps to protect yourselves from harmful UV rays.
How did you enjoy the article? You may probably know more special details on summer in New Zealand so, please feel free to share them with us.